Barbara has become the first hurricane of the eastern Pacific season as it churns about 150 miles off the western coast of Mexico, the National Hurricane Center said Monday.
As of 10 a.m. ET Monday, the hurricane's center was around 155 miles southwest of Manzanillo, Mexico. The storm is expected to continue moving northwest for the next couple of days, according to the hurricane center.
Hurricane Barbara is likely near its peak intensity, with the hurricane center estimating about six to 12 hours of a sustaining environment.
Life-threatening surf and rip conditions will likely affect areas of the coast of southwestern Mexico, as swells are generated by the storm, the hurricane center public advisory said. No coastal watches or warnings were in effect as of Monday morning.
Maximum winds of 75 mph were forecast for Monday with some possible strengthening, but the hurricane center expected them to begin weakening Tuesday. Gusty winds are also likely along the Mexican coast.
Hurricane Barbara is expected to bring heavy rainfall to the coastal states of Colima — where Manzanillo is — Guerrero, Michoacán and Jalisco. The states may experience localized flooding.
