Hurricane Barbara has become the first storm of the eastern Pacific hurricane season as it churns about 150 miles off the west coast of Mexico, the National Hurricane Center said Monday.
As of 10 a.m. EST Monday morning, the center of the hurricane was located around 155 miles southwest of Manzanillo, Mexico. The storm is expected to continue moving northwest for the next couple of days, according to the NHC.
Hurricane Barbara is likely near its peak intensity, with the NHC estimating about 6 to 12 hours of a sustaining environment.
Life-threatening surf and rip conditions will likely affect areas of the coast of southwestern Mexico, as swells are generated by the storm, the NHC public advisory said. No coastal watches or warnings were in effect as of Monday morning.
Maximum winds of 75 miles per hour were forecast for Monday with some possible strengthening, but expected by the NHC to begin weakening Tuesday. Gusty winds are also likely along the Mexico coast.
