Tropical Storm Erick Poised to Become Major Hurricane Near Mexico

Tropical Storm Erick, the fifth named storm of the 2025 Pacific hurricane season, is gaining strength and is forecast to rapidly intensify into a powerful hurricane as it approaches the southern coast of Mexico. The National Hurricane Center (NHC) issued Hurricane Warnings Tuesday morning for portions of Oaxaca, as the system moves west-northwest at 9 mph.

As of 9:00 a.m. CST, Erick was located about 285 miles southeast of Puerto Angel, Mexico, with maximum sustained winds of 45 mph and a minimum central pressure of 1,003 millibars. Forecasters expect the storm to strengthen significantly over the next 24 to 48 hours, potentially reaching Category 2 strength by the time it nears landfall late Wednesday or early Thursday.

A Hurricane Warning is now in effect from Puerto Angel to Punta Maldonado. A Hurricane Watch extends westward to Acapulco and eastward to Bahias de Huatulco, while a Tropical Storm Warning has been issued east of Puerto Angel to Salina Cruz.

Erick is forecast to deliver torrential rainfall across southern Mexico, with 8 to 16 inches expected in Oaxaca and Guerrero, and localized amounts of up to 20 inches. These rains are likely to cause life-threatening flash flooding and mudslides, especially in mountainous regions. Additional rain impacts are anticipated in Chiapas, Michoacan, Colima, and Jalisco.

Coastal residents should also prepare for dangerous storm surge, destructive waves, and rip currents, which are expected to begin affecting the shoreline within the next 24 hours.