Simon strengthened to become the 13th named hurricane of the 2014 eastern North Pacific hurricane season as it swirled off the Mexican coast, AFP reports.
Simon strengthened to become the 13th named hurricane of the 2014 eastern North Pacific hurricane season as it swirled off the Mexican coast, AFP reports.
The small tropical cyclone, located about 80 kilometers (50 miles) northwest of Socorro Island, was tracking west-northwestward at 19 kilometers per hour, according to the US-based National Hurricane Center.
It was a category one storm on the five-point Saffir-Simpson scale, with top winds near 120 kilometers per hour.
"Some additional strengthening is possible during the next 24 hours, but a gradual weakening should begin thereafter," the NHC said.
It was expected to produce up to 38 centimeters of rain (15 inches) across Baja California Sur state.
"These rains could cause flash flooding and mudslides," according to the NHC.
It said swells generated by Simon affecting parts of the southwestern coast of Mexico "are likely to cause life-threatening surf and rip current conditions."