Small Hurricane Simon drifts south of Los Cabos; rain and surf ahead

Simon is a small Category 1 hurricane about 270 miles from Cabo San Lucas. Showers and big surf are expected through the weekend, and small boats are restricted.

By the Lobo Los Cabos newsroom · Wednesday, October 14 · Watch the show

Simon: small, slow and still worth watching

Hurricane Simon is a small Category 1 storm with 75 mph winds, about 270 miles south-southeast of Cabo San Lucas and drifting southwest at 3 mph, according to the National Hurricane Center's 2 PM advisory on Wednesday. Tropical-storm-force winds reach only about 35 miles from the center.

NHC expects slow, erratic drifting through Thursday night, then a turn north or north-northwest by Friday. Its track passes west of the southern tip late Friday into Saturday, with Simon weakening to a tropical storm by then. NHC says the track models still disagree, so the forecast can shift.

Through early Saturday, NHC expects 1 to 2 inches of rain, with isolated 3 inches, over parts of Baja California Sur, along with life-threatening surf and rip currents. No coastal watches or warnings are in effect yet, but NHC says they may be required for portions of Baja California Sur over the next day or two.

Staying safe around the rain

Even a weakening storm's rain is the main danger. Arroyos and dips in the road fill fast, even from rain falling up in the mountains. Never drive or walk through moving water or a flooded arroyo, and stay out of floodwater, since you can't know what is floating in it.

Lobo's tip for tonight: charge your phones, keep water and a flashlight handy, and follow Protección Civil.

What's happening around town

State Civil Protection kept small boats restricted at the ports of Los Cabos and La Paz because of Simon. The council meets again Thursday at 8 PM. No beach closures have been reported, but officials warn of high surf and rip currents.

Los Cabos Protección Civil advises extra care at beaches, no crossing arroyos and skipping risky activities.

Tomorrow's weather

Thursday brings showers, a high of 91°F and a low of 74°F, with a northwest wind around 9 mph. The water is 86°F. Friday stays showery with a high of 89°F and a northeast wind around 14 mph. Saturday is showery too, with a high of 89°F and a low of 70°F. Pack sunscreen and an umbrella together.

Surf and Spot Check

NOAA's wave model shows about 6 ft at 15 seconds from the west-southwest Thursday morning, holding steady. On the Pacific side near Cerritos, the model has 5.7 ft. The Corridor, including Zippers and Punta Perfecta, gets the most swell at 6 ft. At the East Cape, La Fortuna and Nine Palms show 5.5 ft.

These are offshore model numbers, not what is breaking at the beach, so check your spot. The surf is big and stormy, and anyone without plenty of experience should stay out.

Fishing

Water temperature is 86°F. Thursday night brings a waxing crescent moon, 11 days from full. Expect a light northwest breeze, but with 6 ft of swell the morning will be lumpy.

Trudy, far to the south

Tropical Storm Trudy has 65 mph winds, about 345 miles south of Acapulco, and is heading west-northwest, per the National Hurricane Center's 3 PM Central advisory. NHC forecasts steady to rapid strengthening into a major hurricane on Friday, and it could approach the coast of southwestern Mexico on Saturday.

Watches will likely be required tonight or Thursday for parts of southwestern and west-central Mexico. Rain of 2 to 4 inches, with isolated 6 inches, is possible between Guerrero and Jalisco.

Coming up in Los Cabos

Bisbee's Los Cabos Offshore is under way out of the Cabo San Lucas marina through Saturday, with the weigh-in at the scales at the marina in the evening. Bisbee's Black & Blue starts in five days, on Monday, October 19. Check with the organizers for any weather changes.

Looking further ahead, the SCORE Baja 1000 starts and finishes on Avenida Centenario in San José del Cabo for the first time, running November 9 to 15. Expect crowds and road closures.

Written from public weather, marine and hurricane data and the organizers' own reports. Surf numbers are offshore model readings, not breaking waves. For official alerts, follow Protección Civil Los Cabos. Got something happening? Tell Lobo.