Hurricane Simon: How strong will it get, where will it make landfall, and what to expect

Hurricane Simon is rapidly gaining strength threatening destructive winds, life-threatening flooding and dangerous storm surge. According to the US National Hurricane Center, Simon was packing maximum sustained winds of 90 miles (150 km) per hour while located around 325 miles (525 km) off Cabo Corrientes in Jalisco early on Friday. Before strengthening into a hurricane on Thursday, Simon had already caused heavy rains in Acapulco, another popular Mexican destination that was devastated by Hurricane Otis in 2024.

How strong will Simon be?

Hurricane Simon is said to be category 1. According to NHC, Category 1 hurricanes produce very dangerous winds causing some damage. "Well-constructed frame homes could have damage to roof, shingles, vinyl siding and gutters. Large branches of trees will snap and shallowly rooted trees may be toppled. Extensive damage to power lines and poles likely will result in power outages that could last a few to several days," it says on its website.

However, Hurricane Simon is forecast to get much stronger when it makes landfall. As per Accuweather, Simon is expected to strengthen into a Category 4 hurricane before making landfall along the southwestern coast of Mexico early Sunday morning. A category 4 hurricane can cause catastrophic damage. As per NHC, during a category 4 hurricane, well-built framed homes can sustain severe damage with loss of most of the roof structure and/or some exterior walls. Most trees will be snapped or uprooted and power poles downed. Fallen trees and power poles will isolate residential areas. Power outages will last weeks to possibly months. Most of the area will be uninhabitable for weeks or months.

Where will Hurricane Simon make landfall?

Hurricane Simon is heading towards Mexico's Pacific coast. It is forecast to reach the coast of Mexico's Jalisco state, where the popular tourist resort of Puerto Vallarta is located, on Friday night or early Saturday, according to the NHC.

"Rapid intensification is expected to continue, and Simon is expected to be a very dangerous major hurricane when it approaches the coast of Mexico," the NHC said.

What to expect

Before strengthening into a hurricane on Thursday, Simon had already caused heavy rains in Acapulco, another popular Mexican destination that was devastated by Hurricane Otis in 2024. Heavy rain is expected in other coastal states, where authorities have suspended classes and evacuated people from high-risk areas.

AccuWeather has warned that Mexico’s southwestern coast could experience powerful winds on Sunday morning as Hurricane Simon makes landfall.

“Gusts of 100-120 mph are forecast along portions of coastal Jalisco, Nayarit and Sinaloa, with gusts of 120-140 mph in far western Jalisco. The strongest wind gusts, reaching 140-150 mph, are expected near the eyewall as Simon moves ashore, with an AccuWeather Local StormMax of 160 mph,” the report said.

Dangerous surf and large waves are also expected near and to the right side of the storm's center. Strong onshore winds are forecast to produce a storm surge of 10-15 feet along portions of the Jalisco coastline, AccuWeather warned.

Meanwhile, US NHC said that Simon may produce rainfall totals of 8 to 15 inches over portions of southwestern Mexico, with isolated maximum totals of 25 inches possible across portions of Michoacan, Colima, Jalisco and Nayarit through Sunday.

This rainfall may produce life-threatening flooding and mudslides, especially in areas of steep terrain, NHC warned.