Rachel reaches closest point to Jalisco
Rachel reached its closest point to Jalisco territory on Wednesday, September 30, 2026, at 3:00 p.m., when it was located 300 kilometers southwest of Cabo Corrientes.
Reports differed on Rachel’s distance from Cabo Corrientes: one placed it 360 kilometers southwest of the cape, while another placed it 320 kilometers west-southwest of the cape at 21:15 central Mexico time. Reports also differed on forward speed, giving 13 kilometers per hour in one account and 15 kilometers per hour in another. Rachel remained a Category 1 hurricane. Reports differed on its sustained winds, with one account giving 150 km/h and others giving 140 km/h; stronger gusts were also reported, including gusts of 110 knots in connection with the cyclone. High storm surge caused severe impacts in restaurant areas along the coast.
The storm’s cloud bands continued generating elevated waves and precipitation during the night and early morning, while the cyclonic system produced rainfall of up to 120 millimeters. The Puerto Vallarta Regional Port Authority ordered a total suspension of navigation for smaller vessels from 16:00 on Wednesday, September 30. Jalisco Civil Protection asked people to suspend recreational activities at sea, avoid flooded areas and not cross streams. The State Civil Protection and Firefighters Unit also recommended avoiding rocky beaches because of elevated waves.
Forecast rainfall from Wednesday to Thursday was 60 to 120 millimeters, and large waves could produce life-threatening surf and rip-current conditions along the southwestern and west-central coast of Mexico during the following several days. Authorities are monitoring rivers, streams, rainfall, waves and winds, as well as Hurricane Rachel.
On land, a large tree fell at the access road to El Colomo on Wednesday afternoon. Personnel were monitoring the site while preparing the necessary operations to remove it. Civil Protection and municipal government personnel were mobilized to restore passage.
CUCosta suspended activities on Wednesday, September 30. The stated reason differed: proximity to Rachel was cited in one version, while possible rainfall that Rachel could cause in the municipality was cited in another. The rector’s office said in-person classes and activities would resume Thursday, October 1, at Centro Universitario de la Costa in Puerto Vallarta, Estación Gourmet and the Tomatlán site, including students and academic, administrative and operational staff.
The storm’s core was forecast to remain offshore of Mexico, but its outer bands were expected to continue producing locally heavy rainfall across portions of coastal southwest Mexico. For visitors, the practical step is to stay out of the water and away from rocky or flooded areas while following Civil Protection notices.