Hurricane Simon reaches Category Four strength off Mexico

Hurricane Simon reached Category Four strength, the National Hurricane Center said in its 06:00 UTC advisory on October 10. Maximum sustained winds were 220 kilometres per hour.

The storm's centre was approximately 225 kilometres south of Manzanillo. Simon was moving north at about seven kilometres per hour. Forecasters expect it to approach Mexico's west-central coast later on October 10 or on Sunday, October 11.

A hurricane warning remains in effect from Punta San Telmo to Punta Mita. The National Hurricane Center urged residents to complete preparations to protect life and property urgently. Further rapid strengthening remains possible.

Parts of southwestern Mexico could receive 10–20 inches of rain, approximately 254–508 millimetres, through Sunday. Isolated totals of 30 inches, or 762 millimetres, are possible in portions of Michoacan, Colima, Jalisco and Nayarit. Such rainfall threatens life-threatening flooding and mudslides, especially on steep terrain.

A dangerous storm surge accompanied by large, destructive waves is expected near and east of any landfall location. Hazardous surf and rip currents are also forecast along parts of the southwestern and west-central coast over the next few days.