The Government of Mexico has issued a severe alert for Hurricane Hilary, currently categorized as a force 2 hurricane in the Mexican Pacific.
The authorities predict that Hilary will escalate in intensity in the next few hoursprogressing to a formidable Category 3 hurricane.
By Friday, experts anticipate Hilary to become a Category 4 hurricane, which could lead to a double-hit scenario on the Baja California peninsula on Sunday.
The coordinator of the National Meteorological Service (SMN), Alejandra Méndez Girón, shared at a press conference that at 3:00 p.m. local time, the center of Hurricane Hilary was located about 344 miles southwest of Playa Pérula, Jalisco, and 475 miles south of Cabo San Lucas, Baja California Sur.
The system currently sustains winds of 108 miles per hour, accompanied by gusts reaching 133 miles per hour. Its west-northwest trajectory continues at a speed of 13 miles per hour.
Anticipating Hilary’s advance toward the Baja California peninsula, Méndez Girón indicated that the hurricane is about to intensify further, reaching category 4 with winds of 129 to 155 miles per hour by Friday.
As Hilary moves, it is expected to cause heavy rain, strong winds, and high waves.
“The forecasted rains will cause possible landslides, floods and an increase in rivers and streams,” warned Méndez Girón, who urged extreme vigilance.
Potentially affected regions include Baja California, Baja California Sur, Nayarit, Sinaloa, Sonora, Durango, and Chihuahua. Precautionary measures are recommended for maritime vessels, ports, and residents of various states.
Given its expansive reach, the hurricane is projected to impact Punta Eugenia, Isla Natividad in Baja California Sur, and Isla Cedros in Baja California on Sunday morning.
Subsequently, Hilary is expected to move along the western coast of Baja California, with a possible second impact between the municipalities of Ensenada and Playa Rosarito during Sunday afternoon-night.
As part of the preparations for the hurricane season in Mexico, the Government forecast the formation of up to 38 named cyclones, with an estimated impact of five of them within the country. The Pacific Ocean can witness between 16 and 22 systems, while the Atlantic could experience between 10 and 16 cyclones.
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