Overview
- The National Hurricane Center upgraded Vance to a hurricane and reported maximum sustained winds of about 85 mph while the system was roughly 440 miles south-southwest of Acapulco and moving north-northwest near 6 mph on Friday.
- Forecasts call for rapid strengthening and say Vance could reach major Category 3 intensity before the end of the day, though forecasters note uncertainty in that outlook.
- Models and NHC guidance project the storm will continue north-northwest through the weekend and approach the Puerto Vallarta area by Monday, with track uncertainty increasing after a few days.
- Swells, life-threatening surf and rip currents are expected to affect southern and southwestern Mexico this weekend, and Mexico's weather service warns of heavy rain and coastal waves that could impact communities and maritime activity.
- Meteorologists place Vance in a busy Pacific season linked to El Niño conditions and warmer oceans, a pattern that reporters say has produced a run of stronger storms and unusual weather across the region.