Hurricane “Simon” became eight major hurricane of the 2014 Pacific season

Hurricane "Simon" has become the eighth major hurricane of the 2014 Eastern Pacific hurricane season, according to data from a NOAA Hurricane Hunter aircraft. This ties the record for major hurricanes set in 1983, 1992, and 1993.

NHC determined that at 21:00 UTC on October 4, 2014 Simon had maximum sustained winds of 195 km/h (120 mph), making it a Category 3 hurricane.

GOES IR satellite image of Hurricane Simon at 23:30 UTC on October 14, 2014. (Credit: NOAA/UW-CIMSS)

Aqua/MODIS satellite image captured at 20:32 UTC on October 4, 2014. (Credit: LANCE Rapid Response/MODIS)

Simon is currently tracking to the northwest away from mainland Mexico, and it is expected to remain well offshore. Swells generated by Simon are affecting portions of the southwestern coast of Mexico. There are no coastal watches or warnings in effect. Simon is expected to track toward the west-northwest over the next several days, with its center likely to remain offshore of the Mexican Pacific coast. The system should weaken in the coming hours due to the cooler water, increasing vertical wind shear and a very dry air mass.

GOES RBTop IR satellite image of Hurricane Simon's center captured at 00:00 on October 5, 2014. (Credit: NOAA/GOES)

NHC's 5-day forecast track and tropical storm force wind speed probabilities maps (Credit: NOAA/NHC)

Simon will continue to bring out locally heavy rain, which could trigger flash flooding and mudslides across the middle and southern extent of Baja California. As much as 13 – 25 cm (5 to 10 inches) of rain, as well as locally higher amounts of 38 inches, are expected to fall within Baja, with high risk of dangerous flash flooding and mudslides, including the Los Cabos area, which was hard hit by Category 3 hurricane Odile last month. Large swells and rough surf will create dangerous rip tides and ocean currents along the coast.

Hurricane Simon forecast track models (Credit: UWM/Spaghetti)

Simon became the 18th named tropical storm of the Eastern Pacific season tracking off the coast of Mexico on October 2. By late October 3, Simon strengthened into the 13th hurricane of the season. Simon is following the path of several other tropical storms formed in the Eastern Pacific Ocean by tracking northward along the western coastline of Mexico.

Simon is the eighth major hurricane of the 2014 eastern North Pacific hurricane season. This ties the record for major hurricanes set in 1983, 1992, and 1993.

Satellite animations

• Storm-Centered Infrared (GOES 15; NOAA/SSD)
• Storm-Centered Infrared (Aviation Color Enhancement) (GOES 15; NOAA/SSD)
• Storm-Centered Water Vapor (GOES 15; NOAA/SSD)
• Storm-Centered Visible (GOES 15; NOAA/SSD)
• Storm-Centered Visible (Colorized) (GOES 15; NOAA/SSD)

• Storm-Centered Infrared (GOES 15; CIMSS)
• Storm-Centered Enhanced Infrared (GOES 15; CIMSS)
• Storm-Centered Water Vapor (GOES 15; CIMSS)
• Storm-Centered Visible (GOES 15; CIMSS)

• East Pacific Infrared (GOES 15; NOAA/SSD)
• East Pacific (Aviation Color Enhancement) (GOES 15; NOAA/SSD)
• East Pacific Water Vapor (GOES 15; NOAA/SSD)
• East Pacific Visible (GOES 15; NOAA/SSD)
• East Pacific Visible (Colorized) (GOES 15; NOAA/SSD)

Featured image: GOES Rainbow IR satellite image of Hurricane Simon at 01:00 UTC on October 5, 2014. (Credit: NOAA/GOES)