MIAMI – Once nearing major hurricane strength, Hurricane Priscilla has begun to weaken in the Pacific Ocean, though it remains a threat to parts of Mexico’s Pacific coast and the Baja California Peninsula. Meanwhile, in the Atlantic, Tropical Storm Jerry is strengthening as it moves closer to the Leeward Islands, according to the National Hurricane Center (NHC).
On Wednesday, Priscilla weakened to a tropical storm with maximum sustained winds of 60 mph (97 kph), down from a peak of around 100 mph (161 kph). It was located approximately 190 to 235 miles southwest of the southern tip of Baja California, moving northwest at 9 mph (14 kph).
Credit: National Hurricane Center
While additional weakening is expected over the next 24 hours, the NHC says a tropical storm watch remains in effect for Baja California Sur, from Cabo San Lucas to Cabo San Lazaro. The center of Priscilla is forecast to move parallel to, but remain offshore of, the Baja California coast through Thursday, October 9.
Despite its weakening trend, Priscilla is expected to bring locally heavy rainfall and flash flooding to parts of the Baja California Peninsula, and could extend those impacts into the southwestern United States from late this week into the weekend.
It appears that #Priscilla is still a Tropical Storm, and we can see on water vapor imagery all the moisture getting dragged to the southwestern United States. MODERATE impacts are expected today!#wx #hurricane #utwx #nvwx #azwx pic.twitter.com/6z4ZTwSoSI
— Hurricane Chaser Chase (@hurricane_chase) October 10, 2025
Additionally, large swells generated by the storm are already affecting southwestern and west-central Mexico, as well as portions of southern Baja California. These swells are likely to produce life-threatening surf and rip current conditions, forecasters warned.
The 2025 hurricane season is seeing a noticeable uptick in activity, with multiple systems active across both ocean basins. Forecasters emphasize the importance of staying alert, especially as storms like Priscilla, Jerry, and Octave continue to evolve.
“Moisture associated with Priscilla will lead to locally heavy rainfall and a flash flood risk across portions of the Baja California peninsula during the next couple of days and over portions of the southwestern United States from late this week into this weekend,” the NHC said in its October 8 advisory.
