Dolores to Become a Major Hurricane Offshore of Mexico

By Kristina Pydynowski, Senior Meteorologist

July 14,2015; 9:43PM,EDT

 

 

Dolores is set to strengthen into a major hurricane through midweek. While western Mexico and southern Baja California will escape the worst of the storm, residents and visitors cannot let their guard down.
Fueled by the warm waters west of Mexico, Dolores strengthened into a hurricane in the eastern Pacific Ocean on Monday. Further strengthening is expected, and Dolores is expected to become a major hurricane by midweek.
Wind and rain will increase as Dolores strengthens, but its fury will bypass Mexico as Dolores maintains a westward track into the open waters of the eastern Pacific.

However, enough moisture is wrapping around Dolores for its outermost rain bands to graze the western Mexican coast.
Rainfall amounts will total 1 to 3 inches, threatening to cause localized flash flooding.
While the most widespread rainfall was reported through Monday, spotty heavy showers and thunderstorms will continue to target coastal areas from Manzanillo to Mazatlan through the middle of the week
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AccuWeather Hurricane Center
Latest Statistics on Dolores
Mexico Weather Center
Baja California will also be impacted by Dolores. Drenching and gusty showers will brush the southern tip of Baja California, including Cabo San Lucas, from later Wednesday into Friday.
This animated satellite image of Dolores is courtesy of NOAA.
The greatest threat from Dolores to the western coast of Mexico and the southern Baja California Peninsula, however, is the dangerous surf that is building and will persist through much of this week.
Shipping and cruise lines will be impacted, while the surf and accompanying rip currents will prove life-threatening to anyone who attempts to enter the water. This includes at the resort cities of Cabo San Lucas, Puerto Vallarta and Manzanillo.
Conditions will gradually improve this weekend along the western coast of Mexico, but swells and sea will build along the northern coast of the Baja California Peninsula and Southern California.
Meteorologist Eric Leister contributed to this story.