On Wednesday, Hurricane Kristy intensified into a Category 4 storm in the Pacific Ocean, according to forecasters. The major hurricane is currently located 710 miles south-southwest of the southern tip of the Baja California peninsula of Mexico. It is moving west at a speed of 20 mph with maximum sustained winds of 155 mph, just below Category 5 status.
The National Hurricane Center, based in Miami, reported that waves generated by Kristy will impact parts of the west coast of the Baja California peninsula later this week. These conditions are expected to bring life-threatening surf and rip currents.
Kristy originated as a tropical storm off Mexico's southern Pacific coast on Monday and strengthened into a hurricane on Tuesday. Forecasters anticipate steady to rapid strengthening on Wednesday and Thursday, followed by a gradual weakening starting Friday. The storm is projected to continue its path over open waters, with no coastal watches or warnings currently in effect.
Brad Reinhart, a senior hurricane specialist at the National Hurricane Center, assured that Kristy is moving due westward at a swift pace far out at sea, posing no immediate threat to land.
In the Atlantic Ocean, Hurricane Oscar dissipated into tropical remnants on Tuesday after hitting Cuba as a Category 1 hurricane on Sunday. The aftermath of the storm has left the island dealing with flooding and power outages.
