Tropical Storm Lorena expected to become hurricane in Pacific and could impact Southwest US, Baja California
According to the FOX Forecast Center, some of the tropical moisture from Lorena could enhance the seasonal monsoon weather pattern across the Southwest U.S., with heavy rain beginning late Thursday or early Friday.
Pacific basin bubbling with action as Tropical Storm Watches issued for Tropical Storm Lorena
Tropical Storm Lorena formed in the Pacific on Tuesday morning and is projected to become a hurricane by Wednesday. The storm is moving northwest now, but is expected to shift more north later this week.
Tropical Storm Lorena formed in the Eastern Pacific Ocean on Tuesday morning off the southwest coast of Mexico, and Tropical Storm Watches have been issued for portions of the Baja California Peninsula.
According to the FOX Forecast Center, some of the tropical moisture from Lorena could enhance the seasonal monsoon weather pattern across the Southwest U.S., with heavy rain beginning late Thursday or early Friday.
The Government of Mexico issued Tropical Storm Watches from Cabo San Lucas northward to Cabo San Lazaro on the western coast of Baja California Sur.
The NHC said that Tropical Storm Lorena is on track to become a hurricane by Wednesday.
Tropical Storm Lorena is currently about 310 miles west of Manzanillo, Mexico.
WHAT'S THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN A TROPICAL DEPRESSION, TROPICAL STORM AND HURRICANE?
(FOX Weather)
A tropical storm is a tropical cyclone that has maximum sustained winds between 39 and 73 mph – an upgrade from a tropical depression.
The current forecast track calls for Tropical Storm Lorena to move northwestward, parallel to the Mexican coast, before shifting north and moving over part of Mexico's Baja California Peninsula sometime Friday.
According to the FOX Forecast Center, heavy rain is expected to start impacting Baja California by Wednesday, with 4-8 inches of rain possible.
NOAA has indicated that Hurricane Hunters may investigate the system Wednesday afternoon.
(FOX Weather)
According to the FOX Forecast Center, abundant atmospheric moisture from Lorena will surge into the Southwest U.S. from Thursday into the weekend.
While the heaviest rain is expected across Mexico, parts of Arizona and New Mexico could receive a widespread 1-2 inches of rain, with locally higher amounts possible.
Watch: Waves crash onto Mexican beaches as Tropical Storm Lorena forms in Eastern Pacific
A compilation of videos from Mexican Beaches show gloomy skies after the National Hurricane Center announced the development of Tropical Storm Lorena on Tuesday.
This is a somewhat similar pattern to the heavy rain that fell across parts of Southern California and Nevada last week, which was somewhat enhanced by the moisture from the remnants of Tropical Storm Juliette.
Phoenix also saw a massive dust storm last week, known as a haboob, which is caused by the monsoon weather pattern.
![This animated image shows a dust storm, known as a haboob, sweeping across Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport on Monday, Aug. 25, 2025.]()
Image 1 of 3This animated image shows a dust storm, known as a haboob, sweeping across Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport on Monday, Aug. 25, 2025. (FOX 10 Phoenix)
![This photo shows a massive dust storm, known as a haboob, sweeping across Phoenix on Aug. 25, 2025.]()
Image 2 of 3This photo shows a massive dust storm, known as a haboob, sweeping across Phoenix on Aug. 25, 2025. (@GOPNateJackson/X)
![Arizona Haboob]()
Image 3 of 3A massive haboob dwarfed a mountain range in Arizona on Sunday, July 13, amid severe thunderstorm warnings and strong winds. (Lori Grace Bailey via Storyful)
The Eastern Pacific Basin has already had an active start to the season, producing 10 named storms so far, five of them hurricanes, including three that reached Category 3 strength or higher.
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Elsewhere in the Pacific Basin, Hurricane Kiko, which also formed Wednesday morning, is moving into the Central Pacific Ocean in the general direction of Hawaii.
The Eastern Pacific hurricane season runs from May 15 to Nov. 30.