Karmactive Staff
Barbara has grown up. The storm that began as a tropical disturbance off Mexico’s coast is now Hurricane Barbara, packing 75 mph winds as it churns through Pacific waters about 155 miles southwest of Manzanillo.
This marks the first hurricane of the 2025 Eastern Pacific season, and while it won’t make direct landfall, coastal areas of southwestern Mexico will feel its effects.
Heavy rain will pound coastal areas in four Mexican states – Guerrero, Michoacán, Colima, and Jalisco. Most places will see 2-4 inches, but some spots might get drenched with up to 6 inches, enough to trigger localized flooding and mudslides.
For beachgoers and coastal communities, the biggest danger isn’t the rain but the ocean itself. Barbara is kicking up dangerous swells that will create life-threatening surf conditions and powerful rip currents along southwestern Mexico’s coastline.
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The National Hurricane Center notes that Zihuatanejo and Manzanillo are in the general vicinity of the storm, though they’ll be spared a direct hit. Barbara’s location is referenced in relation to these coastal communities.
Barbara won’t stick around long. After reaching its peak strength today, the hurricane will begin weakening tomorrow as it continues its northwest path away from land.
Meanwhile, Tropical Storm Cosme is spinning farther out to sea, about 630 miles from Baja California’s southern tip. With 50 mph winds, Cosme might briefly reach hurricane strength today before quickly weakening by midweek. Unlike Barbara, Cosme poses no threat to land.
The Eastern Pacific hurricane season, which officially kicked off on May 15, is actually forecast to be relatively quiet this year. Weather experts predict a 50% chance of below-normal activity, with 12-18 named storms expected. Of these, 5-10 could become hurricanes, and 2-5 might reach major hurricane status.
This early appearance of two storms doesn’t necessarily signal an unusually active season ahead. While the Eastern Pacific may see below-normal activity, the Atlantic basin is expected to have an above-normal season with 13-19 named storms, 6-10 hurricanes, and 3-5 major hurricanes forecast.
The Atlantic hurricane basin remains quiet for now, with no tropical development expected within the next week, according to the National Hurricane Center.
