The National Hurricane Center has upgraded Hector to a 85 mph hurricane this morning (Thursday). The cyclone is located in the eastern Pacific Ocean, about 1135 miles west-southwest of the southern tip of Baja California. The storm is no threat to any land areas.
7 AM PDT Hurricane #Hector Tropical Cyclone Update: #Hector Rapidly Intensifies to a Hurricane. https://t.co/uoIqEJdbza pic.twitter.com/EicBQNIXjn
— NHC E. Pacific Ops (@NHC_Pacific) August 2, 2018
The cyclone is pretty compact, with hurricane force winds only extending out 15 miles from the center. Tropical storm force winds extend out 60 miles. Hector is moving west at 15 mph.
Strengthening is expected over the next few days, with moderately warm water temperatures and limited wind shear to the north of the storm. Hector is forecast to reach major hurricane status of category three strength this weekend, increasing to 120 mph winds into next week.
For WeatherNation: Meteorologist Mace Michaels