Overview
- Genevieve became a major Category 4 hurricane after a roughly 70 mph increase in wind speed over about 24 hours, reaching near 140 mph and exceeding earlier forecasts.
- The storm remains about 500 miles southwest of Mexico and is not expected to make landfall though forecasts show it could peak near 150 mph before weakening begins around Tuesday.
- No coastal watches or warnings have been issued but the National Hurricane Center says swells are producing life-threatening surf and rip currents for parts of Mexico, the Baja California Peninsula, and California beaches.
- NOAA and forecasters link Genevieve’s explosive growth to unusually warm sea surface temperatures and a rapidly strengthening El Niño, which also heightens the chance of stronger east Pacific hurricanes.
- A separate storm, Hurricane Fausto east of Hawaii, is forecast to weaken but still poses surf risks for the islands, and forecasters say Genevieve’s energy may help amplify a Western high-pressure ridge that could worsen an early August California heat wave.