The 2026 Pacific hurricane season officially began last week, with forecasters warning of above-average activity — including up to five major hurricanes that could threaten Jalisco’s coastline.
According to the National Meteorological Service (SMN), the season is expected to generate 18 to 21 named systems in the Pacific basin, well above the historical average of 15. Of these, 4 to 5 could become major hurricanes (Category 3 or higher), representing the most severe threat to coastal municipalities such as Puerto Vallarta, Cihuatlán, Tomatlán and Cabo Corrientes.
Another 5 to 6 systems are expected to reach Category 1 or 2 strength, while 9 to 10 tropical storms are also forecast.
The news comes as Jalisco experiences a weather whiplash. May has been historically wet across the state, with the University of Guadalajara’s Institute of Astronomy and Meteorology (IAM) recording up to 60 millimeters of rain — highly atypical for the month. Residents are enjoying unexpected showers that briefly cooled the metropolitan area.
When will the real rains arrive?
This week, however, those rains began to subside. A strong high-pressure system settled over central Jalisco, pushing temperatures in the Guadalajara metropolitan area back up to 35°C (95°F).
Please login or subscribe to view the complete article.