Updated

Hurricane Rachel, designated EP182026, was tracked by the US National Hurricane Center moving westward over the open eastern Pacific Ocean as of the evening of October 5, 2026. The storm was centered near 20.4N 117.9W, about 540 miles (870 km) west-southwest of the southern tip of Baja California, with maximum sustained winds of about 90 mph and a minimum central pressure of 973 mb. Satellite imagery showed the storm's structure becoming less organized, with its eye filling in and convection turning asymmetric. Forecasters issued repeated advisories, wind speed probability updates and forecast discussions through the night, with Rachel moving west at roughly 8-9 mph away from land. GDACS classified the cyclone as a hurricane/typhoon-strength system (max winds 194 km/h) affecting Mexico with medium vulnerability, though estimated population affected by category-1-strength winds was listed as zero, indicating no immediate landfall threat to populated areas.