Simon Weakens Offshore as Mexico's Pacific Coast Braces for Midweek Landfall
Hurricane Simon remained offshore of Jalisco on Sunday and was downgraded to Category 3, with winds near 205 km/h. Forecasters expect the storm to continue northwest before turning northeast and crossing west-central Mexico around the middle of the week, with Sinaloa at risk Wednesday or Thursday. Hurricane warnings cover parts of Jalisco and Nayarit, while Puerto Vallarta's airport was set to reopen Monday if inspections permit.
Simon was about 50 miles south of Cabo Corrientes on Sunday, tracking parallel to Jalisco’s shoreline with 127 mph winds. It had peaked near 155 mph a day earlier before losing strength. Forecasters now expect a northwest path through early Tuesday, followed by a northeast turn toward west-central Mexico by midweek; Sinaloa may see impacts Wednesday or Thursday.
Warnings stretch from Playa Perula to El Roblito and include the Islas Marías, with a watch farther north to Bahía Tempehuaya. Rainfall totals could approach 760 mm in Michoacán, Colima and Jalisco. Puerto Vallarta’s airport shut Saturday evening and aimed to reopen Monday morning if inspections allowed.
Residents and visitors along Jalisco, Nayarit and Sinaloa could face disrupted travel, closed beaches and limited services as shelters open and non-essential activities pause. Puerto Vallarta’s airport reopening may ease some uncertainty, but inspections and heavy rain could still delay flights or cause flooding. Local civil protection guidance may shape daily safety decisions, especially for those in low-lying or coastal areas. The storm’s midweek turn may keep uncertainty high for communities preparing for possible impacts.