Hurricane Blas Weakening After Becoming the First Major Hurricane of the Eastern Pacific Season

July 8,2016
Hurricane Blas is now weakening quickly in the cooler eastern Pacific Ocean waters.
Blas rapidly intensified into the season's first major hurricane (Category 3 or stronger) Monday into Tuesday. On Tuesday night, Blas reached its maximum intensity as a Category 4 hurricane with maximum sustained winds of 140 mph.
Here's the latest:

• Blas was located more than 1,380 miles west of the southern tip of Baja California.
• Blas is expected to weaken rapidly to a post-tropical remnant by this weekend.
• This system is no threat to land.

(MORE: Hurricane Season Outlook | Hurricane Central)

Current Storm Status

Projected Path

Blas's History:

• Blas rapidly intensified in the 24 hours ending 2 p.m. PDT Tuesday with winds increasing from 75 mph to 125 mph. Rapid intensification is when maximum sustained winds increase by at least 30 knots (about 35 mph) in 24 hours or less.
• Blas became a hurricane Monday morning, and a major hurricane (Category 3 or stronger) on Tuesday afternoon.
• Blas peaked at 140 mph on Tuesday evening before cooler waters began to allow the hurricane to weaken. 
• Maximum sustained winds fell to 110 mph on Thursday evening, making it a category 2 hurricane. 
• Maximum sustained winds dropped to 80 mph Friday evening, it remains a category 1 hurricane

Check back with us at weather.com for updates on this system.

MORE: Hurricane Satellite Imagery (PHOTOS)