Hurricane Erick Update: Tropical Storm Strengthens in Pacific
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources.
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Tropical Storm Erick has formed in the eastern Pacific and is forecast to intensify into a hurricane as it approaches the southern coast of Mexico.
Why It Matters
Erick marks the fifth named system of the 2025 eastern Pacific hurricane season and could become the first to make landfall, according to Fox Weather, with a projected path carrying it toward southern Mexico by the end of the week.
What To Know
As of 6 a.m. CST on June 17, the National Hurricane Center (NHC) reported that Erick was located approximately 430 miles southeast of Punta Maldonado, Mexico, with maximum sustained winds of 40 miles per hour and moving west-northwest at 12 mph.
The growing storm threatens heavy rainfall, strong winds, and life-threatening flooding across parts of Mexico and Central America. According to the NHC, areas in the path of Erick—including Chiapas, Oaxaca, and Guerrero—could see up to 15 inches of rain in some locations. Coastal regions of Guatemala and parts of El Salvador are also under threat of rainfall.
The NHC warned that tropical storm-force winds extended 45 miles from the center of the system. It also said that a hurricane watch was in effect from Bahias de Huatulco to Punta Maldonado, and a tropical storm watch extended eastward to Salina Cruz.
Forecasters predict that the system will move northwest as the week progresses. It could reach hurricane strength on Wednesday, according to the NHC.
A forecast map from AccuWeather tracks the eye path of Erick through the week.
A forecast map from AccuWeather tracks the eye path of Erick through the week.
AccuWeather
What People Are Saying
AccuWeather meteorologist Jesse Ferrel, Tuesday on X (formerly Twitter): "We think Hurricane Erick could hit Mexico stronger than Cat 2. Will moderately affect Acapulco which was devastated by Otis 2 years ago, but main effects far to the east. Near landfall, there could be 125 mph winds & 20 inches of rain."
Meteorologist Jim Cantore, Tuesday on X: "Soon to be Erick in the eastern Pacific has everything it needs to intensify and that will accelerate over the next 24 hours and beyond. Some guidance makes it a Major Hurricane. Guidance has shifted west enough so Acapulco is in play. This is not Otis and it's coming in at a whole different angle, but certainly expect some impact weather. New package from NHC may have updates to intensity and track. Rapid development from many of the reliable models occurs with this storm."
What Happens Next
The NHC said a hurricane warning would likely be required for a portion of the Mexican coast later on Tuesday.
For the latest information on Tropical Storm Erick, including forecasts and advisories, visit the National Hurricane Center's website.
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The Hill
13 minutes ago
- The Hill
Hurricane Erick forms off Mexico's Pacific coast and threatens to bring flooding and mudslides
MEXICO CITY (AP) — Hurricane Erick formed Wednesday in the Pacific Ocean on a forecast track to bring heavy rain, strong winds, storm surge and possible mudslides to southern coastal Mexico, forecasters said. Up to 20 inches (51 centimeters) of rain could fall across the Mexican states of Oaxaca and Guerrero, with lighter amounts in Chiapas, Michoacan, Colima and Jalisco states, the Miami-based U.S. National Hurricane Center said in an advisory. The rainfall threatened flooding and mudslides, especially in areas with steep terrain. The Category 1 storm on Wednesday morning was located about 160 miles (257 kilometers) south-southeast of Puerto Ángel, Mexico, and had maximum sustained winds of 75 mph (121 kph). It was moving northwest at 7 mph (11 kph). Erick is expected to be at or near major hurricane status Thursday as it approaches the Mexican coast on Thursday, where it could make landfall. A major hurricane is defined as Category 3 or higher and wind speeds of 111-129 mph (180-210 kph). The storm's projected path would take its center near the resort of Acapulco, which was devastated in October 2023 by Hurricane Otis, a Category 5 hurricane that rapidly intensified and caught many unprepared. At least 52 people died in Otis and 32 were missing, after the storm severely damaged almost all of the resort's hotels. Guerrero state Gov. Evelyn Salgado said Tuesday that lessons were learned from that storm. She said all schools in the state would close Wednesday and said 582 shelters were prepared to receive people who might evacuate their homes. A hurricane warning was in effect for Acapulco to Puerto Ángel. A hurricane warning means hurricane conditions are expected in the area, and preparations to protect life and property should be rushed to completion, according to the hurricane center advisory. Heavy rainfall up to 20 inches (51 centimeters) was forecast for parts of Oaxaca and Guerrero, with as much as 8 inches (20 centimeters) set to fall in Chiapas, Michoacan, Colima and Jalisco states.
San Francisco Chronicle
20 minutes ago
- San Francisco Chronicle
Hurricane Erick forms off Mexico's Pacific coast and threatens to bring flooding and mudslides
MEXICO CITY (AP) — Hurricane Erick formed Wednesday in the Pacific Ocean on a forecast track to bring heavy rain, strong winds, storm surge and possible mudslides to southern coastal Mexico, the U.S. National Hurricane Center said. Up to 20 inches (51 centimeters) of rain could fall across the Mexican states of Oaxaca and Guerrero, with lighter amounts in Chiapas, Michoacan, Colima and Jalisco states, the Miami-based center said in an advisory. The rainfall threatened flooding and mudslides, especially in areas with steep terrain. Erick was located about 160 miles (257 kilometers) south-southeast of Puerto Ángel, Mexico, and had maximum sustained winds of 75 mph (121 kph). It was moving northwest at 7 mph (11 kph). Erick is expected to be at or near major hurricane status as it approaches the Mexican coast on Thursday. A major hurricane is defined as Category 3 or higher and wind speeds of 111-129 mph (180-210 kph). The storm's projected path would take its center near the resort of Acapulco, which was devastated in October 2023 by Hurricane Otis, a Category 5 hurricane that rapidly intensified and caught many unprepared. At least 52 people died in Otis and 32 were missing, after the storm severely damaged almost all of the resort's hotels. Guerrero state Gov. Evelyn Salgado said Tuesday that lessons were learned from that storm. She said all schools in the state would close Wednesday and said 582 shelters were prepared to receive people who might evacuate their homes. A hurricane warning was in effect for Acapulco to Puerto Ángel. A hurricane warning means hurricane conditions are expected in the area, and preparations to protect life and property should be rushed to completion, according to the hurricane center advisory. Heavy rainfall up to 20 inches (51 centimeters) was forecast for parts of Oaxaca and Guerrero, with as much as 8 inches (20 centimeters) set to fall in Chiapas, Michoacan, Colima and Jalisco states.
Boston Globe
20 minutes ago
- Boston Globe
Hurricane Erick forms off Mexico's Pacific coast and threatens to bring flooding and mudslides
Erick was located about 160 miles (257 kilometers) south-southeast of Puerto Ángel, Mexico, and had maximum sustained winds of 75 mph (121 kph). It was moving northwest at 7 mph (11 kph). Erick is expected to be at or near major hurricane status as it approaches the Mexican coast on Thursday. A major hurricane is defined as Category 3 or higher and wind speeds of 111-129 mph (180-210 kph). The storm's projected path would take its center near the resort of Acapulco, which was devastated in October 2023 by Hurricane Otis, a Category 5 hurricane that rapidly intensified and caught many unprepared. Advertisement At least 52 people died in Otis and 32 were missing, after the storm severely damaged almost all of the resort's hotels. Guerrero state Gov. Evelyn Salgado said Tuesday that lessons were learned from that storm. She said all schools in the state would close Wednesday and said 582 shelters were prepared to receive people who might evacuate their homes. A hurricane warning was in effect for Acapulco to Puerto Ángel. A hurricane warning means hurricane conditions are expected in the area, and preparations to protect life and property should be rushed to completion, according to the hurricane center advisory. Advertisement Heavy rainfall up to 20 inches (51 centimeters) was forecast for parts of Oaxaca and Guerrero, with as much as 8 inches (20 centimeters) set to fall in Chiapas, Michoacan, Colima and Jalisco states.
