Hurricane Rachel expected to become major hurricane as its moisture fuels dangerous US flood threat
Hurricane Rachel is expected to become the latest major hurricane in the Pacific which has been supercharged with tropical activity by an impending Super El Niño.
Rachel expected to become next major hurricane in the Pacific
Hurricane Rachel is now expected to become the latest major hurricane in the Pacific, according to the National Hurricane Center (NHC), as its moisture is pulled up behind the remnants of Polo to fuel a dangerous flood threat across much of the Central U.S.
THE TAKEAWAY
- Hurricane Rachel is forecast to rapidly strengthen and could become the latest major hurricane in the Pacific.
- Moisture from Hurricane Rachel and the remnants of Polo are expected to fuel a week-long flood threat across the Central U.S.
- Rachel became the 20th named storm in the Central and Eastern Pacific this season as a strengthening El Niño supercharges the basins.
Hurricane Rachel is now expected to become the latest major hurricane in the Pacific, according to the National Hurricane Center (NHC), as its moisture is pulled up behind the remnants of Polo to fuel a dangerous flood threat across much of the Central U.S.
Rachel is currently a Category 2 storm, with maximum sustained winds of 100 mph, about 245 miles southwest of Cabo Corrientes, Mexico. It is forecast to continue strengthening and become a major hurricane over the next couple of days.
A large dip in the jet stream is beginning to pull moisture from Rachel across the Central U.S., bringing heavy rain. This same pattern ushered the remnants of Polo across the Southwest on Tuesday after it made landfall in Baja California as a Category 2 hurricane.
Meanwhile, Rachel is expected to begin to turn away from the Mexican coast, heading into the open Pacific as it strengthens, the NHC said.
Rachel became the 20th named storm and 10th hurricane in the Central and Eastern Pacific this season as a strengthening El Niño supercharges the basins.
Polo's remnants fuel U.S. flood threat after becoming second-strongest hurricane ever recorded in Eastern Pacific
Hurricane Polo made landfall as a Category 2 storm on Baja California Sur, Mexico, late Monday, bringing damaging wind gusts and flooding to the region. The storm made a second landfall as a hurricane in mainland Mexico later on Tuesday after tracking over the Gulf of California.
Hurricane landfalls on Baja California are quite rare. The last was Norma in October 2023.
Polo's remnants quickly moved along the jet stream into the U.S. Southwest, triggering more flash flooding.
A man clears debris from fallen trees following the arrival of Hurricane Polo in the flooded town of Puerto San Carlos, Baja California Sur, Mexico, on September 29, 2026. Hurricane Polo made landfall on Mexico's Baja California peninsula on September 29, cutting power and causing flooding as the sea breached coastal defenses. ((Photo by Carl de Souza / AFP via Getty Images) / Getty Images)
Polo became only the 10th remnant tropical storm or hurricane to survive the trip over mountains to affect the U.S. since 1950.
Hurricane Polo reached monster Category 5 strength three times over the course of its development, with peak winds of 180 mph last week.
HURRICANE POLO EXPLODES INTO ONE OF PACIFIC’S STRONGEST HURRICANES EVER
Annular eye of Hurricane Nolo on Sep. 28, 2026. (FOX Weather / FOX Weather)
Polo also entered the record books as the second-most intense hurricane by central pressure, at 892 millibars, behind Hurricane Patricia's 872 millibars in 2015.
Most intense Eastern Pacific hurricanes by pressure. (FOX Weather / FOX Weather)
Tropical Depression Nineteen-E forms in open Pacific
A new area to watch for tropical development was added on Tuesday afternoon right behind Rachel and the NHC is now giving this system high odds of developing over the next seven days.
Meanwhile, Tropical Depression Nineteen-E formed in the open Pacific Tuesday morning but is expected to dissipate by Friday.
CALIFORNIA DECLARES STATE OF EMERGENCY AS POTENTIALLY HISTORIC SUPER EL NIÑO LOOMS
The next named storm in the Eastern Pacific would be named Simon.
The Pacific has been supercharged with tropical activity as a rapidly strengthening El Niño warms waters across the basin, which has fueled the increased activity.
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