Hurricane Rachel intensified to a Category 3 storm off Mexico’s Pacific coast on Thursday, raising concerns of additional flooding and damage in northern Mexico as well as parts of the southwestern United States. The storm was positioned approximately 380 kilometers south of the southern tip of Baja California and moving west-northwest at a speed of 6 kilometers per hour.

According to the National Hurricane Center (NHC), Rachel had maximum sustained winds reaching 193 kilometers per hour and was expected to strengthen further before gradually weakening over the weekend. The NHC also warned that swells generated by Rachel could produce life-threatening surf and dangerous rip-current conditions along Mexico’s coastline.

Mexican authorities remain vigilant as forecasts call for heavy rainfall across several states, including Baja California Sur, Sinaloa, and Jalisco. Officials have cited risks of landslides, rising river levels, and flooding in low-lying areas. The potential for overflowing rivers and flash floods has prompted ongoing monitoring and emergency preparedness efforts.

In anticipation of the storm, the U.S. Embassy in Mexico issued a warning late Wednesday for American citizens in Cabo San Lucas, a favored tourist destination, about possible beach closures and hazardous rip currents. Port operations in the area may also be temporarily suspended as precautionary measures.

This year’s hurricane season in the Pacific Ocean has been notably active, a trend meteorologists link to the El Niño climate phenomenon. El Niño has contributed to severe drought conditions in parts of Mexico and Central America, while causing extensive flooding across other regions.

The impact of Hurricane Polo earlier this week remains evident, particularly in northern Mexico, where flooding forced hundreds from their homes. Relief efforts continue as communities cope with the aftermath while bracing for further severe weather driven by Rachel.