Tropical Storm Trudy Bears Down on Mexico, Forecast to Turn Hurricane Tonight

Tropical Storm Trudy gathered strength off Mexico’s Pacific coast Wednesday, a fast-growing cyclone forecasters expect to become a hurricane tonight and a major hurricane by Friday.

The U.S. National Hurricane Center put Trudy’s winds at 65 mph Wednesday evening, with the center about 345 miles south of Acapulco. The storm moved west-northwest at 13 mph. Its minimum central pressure was 997 millibars.

Rapid strengthening is forecast over the next two days. The hurricane center’s forecast track calls for Trudy to reach major-hurricane strength Friday, with winds near 125 mph, then approach southwestern or west-central Mexico on Saturday. Some models put its peak near Category 4, around 130 mph.

No coastal watches or warnings were in effect Wednesday evening. Forecasters said watches will likely be required later tonight or Thursday for portions of southwestern and west-central Mexico. Swells from Trudy are expected to begin reaching the coast of southern Mexico late this week, bringing life-threatening surf and rip currents.

The Global Disaster Alert and Coordination System issued its highest humanitarian-risk alert for the storm. Trudy formed Tuesday and is only the season’s latest threat. Simon, a Category 4 hurricane, brushed Mexico’s Pacific coast earlier this week near Puerto Vallarta, shutting down the city’s airport and forcing school closures in 22 Jalisco municipalities.

The 2026 Eastern Pacific season is already the most energetic on record by accumulated cyclone energy, fueled by a strong El Niño climate pattern. Trudy could become the ninth Category 4 or stronger storm in the Eastern and Central Pacific this year.

Forecasters warned that the track beyond three days remains uncertain. Confidence is high that Trudy will strengthen fast; where it goes after that is still in play.