Hurricane Kristy Strengthens into Category 3 Storm in Pacific Ocean

Hurricane Kristy has intensified into a Category 3 storm in the Pacific Ocean, according to the latest updates from the National Hurricane Center. As of Wednesday, the storm was located approximately 650 miles southwest of the southern tip of Mexico‘s Baja California peninsula, moving westward at a speed of 20 mph (31 kph).

The hurricane boasts maximum sustained winds of 125 mph (205 kph), and forecasters predict it will continue to strengthen through Thursday before gradually weakening starting on Friday. Despite its powerful winds, Kristy is expected to remain over open waters, posing no immediate threat to land. There are currently no coastal watches or warnings in effect.

Kristy initially formed as a tropical storm off Mexico’s southern Pacific coast on Monday and quickly upgraded to a Category 1 hurricane by Tuesday. Its rapid intensification has led meteorologists to anticipate further strengthening in the coming days.

Although the storm is not expected to impact land, waves generated by Kristy will affect portions of the west coast of the Baja California peninsula later this week, potentially causing life-threatening surf and rip current conditions.

In related weather news, Hurricane Oscar in the Atlantic Ocean disintegrated into tropical remnants on Tuesday after making landfall in Cuba as a Category 1 hurricane on Sunday. Cuba is currently recovering from the aftermath, including flooding and power outages.