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AP - Hurricane Rick swiftly strengthened Friday off Mexico's Pacific coast with winds near 100 mph (160 kph), and forecasters warned it could soon become a major hurricane.

The storm had sustained winds of 160 mph (260 kph), the U.S. National Hurricane Center in Miami reported, though it said the storm was likely to lose some of that punch before hitting land.

Forecasters said Rick was projected to stay well off the coast for several days before bending east over cooler waters and hitting the Baja California Peninsula, perhaps as a Category 2 hurricane, sometime Wednesday.

Authorities in the resort of Acapulco closed the port to small craft after Rick kicked up heavy waves and gusts of wind.

"There are waves of 7 to 8 feet, and gusts of wind," said Victor Cruz Lopez, the watch officer at the port captain's office.

Meteorologist Jessica Schauer told The Associated Press that warm waters fueled Rick's rapid jump from Category 1 just two days ago.

"Right now it's over very warm water and the current forecast track keeps it over warm water for quite awhile," she said.

Rick was forecast to pass near Socorro Island, about 300 miles (500 kilometers) southwest of Cabo San Lucas, on Tuesday. The island is a nature reserve with a small Mexican Navy post and it hosts scuba-diving expeditions in winter months.

Acapulco's Civil Protection Department had warned that rains from the outer bands of the storm could cause landslides and flooding in the resort city, but no such effects were reported Saturday.



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According to the latest forecasts, this is turning into a major, major storm. Will be a catagory 5 shortly, with sustained winds exceeding 160 mph. And almost all computer models have it heading for southern Baja in the middle of next week. Right from the getgo GFDL has had La Paz on its trajectory. Let's just hope it comes ashore in a more friendly fashion. But, whatever, definitely time to get prepared, AGAIN !!

Thanks Ed, you beat me to the punch....that 170 mph Wind Gusts really got my attention! I don't think it'll hit here as a Cat 5....but then on the other hand, I don't believe the predictions that it'll hit here as a Cat 1....more likely a Cat 2-3....and my predictions have historically been more accurate than them trained NOAA fellas!

Battening down & keeping those buckets handy just in case the replacement skylite job which just got slid to a Monday completion isn't as successful as I hope it is!

Originally Posted by longlegsinlapaz

Thanks Ed, you beat me to the punch....that 170 mph Wind Gusts really got my attention! I don't think it'll hit here as a Cat 5....but then on the other hand, I don't believe the predictions that it'll hit here as a Cat 1....more likely a Cat 2-3....and my predictions have historically been more accurate than them trained NOAA fellas!

Battening down & keeping those buckets handy just in case the replacement skylite job which just got slid to a Monday completion isn't as successful as I hope it is!

For your, and everyone in the La Paz region's sake, I hope you are "VERY" wrong about that Cat 3. I've been through a couple of 2's and those are scary enough. A high end 3 will do devastating damage to the City, both with winds and rain.
Keep your fingers ( and long legs ) crossed and let's hope the weather gods will smile on you guys.

Holy Sheep! < the clean version! Wind gusts now up to 185 mph....beyond my comprehension!! Even my eyes (& ewes) will be crossed!

Latest Weather Underground update at: http://www.wunderground.com/tropical...y.html#a_topad is presently predicting a Cat 3 on the Pacific coast of Baja & a Cat 2 for the West coast of Mainland Mexico. I guess I'd best be rolling the big bird cage away from the slider facing the bay....don't want any ruffled feathers!

But we still have 3-4 days to go & undoubtedly several more versions of highly scientific strength & route predictions to titillate us....before the sheep really hits the fan!

Beyond the beyond!!!! Rick is a full-blown cat 5 now....winds gusts of 220mph!!! We can only hope that he overexerts himself out in the ocean & burns up all his energy before he comes ashore! And just call me Pollyanna!

Well, I guess you can stop worrying about the skylight. Wind will be driving the rain horizontally!!

Okay,
It's overall predictions are more and more to the south.
My prediction, and I'm very seldom wrong, Rick will pass south of Cabo, about 50 miles out in the ocean and everybody will breath a lot easier.
Hope this made you feel better.

Uhhhh Ed......? Baja is +/- 60 miles wide....have you looked at the breadth of Rick's shoulders lately? Even if it stayed 100 miles south of Cabo....Cabo, San Jose, La Paz & everything in between will still be taking a healthy hit.

Winds picked up to unusually strong gusts here about an hour ago, black clouds rolled over & it poured in La Paz, according to Kate....nary a drop fell in Centenario & here is tonights' sunset....I'd have had to drive into La Paz to get it all in one shot....& it'd have been dark by the time I got there!

We had a heavy rain starting around 5 pm that lasted maybe 30-45 minutes or so. Enough to flood the street up to the rims of cars with those little dinky tires. It cleared up fast, and our sunset was pretty much like the pics Longlegs posted. More to come, no doubt!!

Longlegs, It's quite apparent you don't have much confidence in my predictions. Following the Impulse site, and most likely Rick will move farther south, La Paz will end up in the 39-57mph wind sphere, rationally a good sailing breeze. The nice fresh water accompanying that will give you a great chance to test your new skylight and, at the same time, will freshen the town. So girl, chin up and keep the faith.
BTW, haven't seen "oldlady" on the board lately?? Are they in La Paz ??

Originally Posted by edinnopolo

BTW, haven't seen "oldlady" on the board lately?? Are they in La Paz ??
Just dawned on me that Kate here might be the same one???

No, we are two totally distinct oldladies.

Originally Posted by kate

No, we are two totally distinct oldladies.

Sorry , little name mix up

Well, they were here 2-3 days ago when I called her! I haven't posted on BN for quite a while, so don't know if she's been active there. But she was alive & kicking when last we spoke! Their names are close, but Kate is a different entity!

Well, it does appear that Rick has slowed down a bit this morning based on latest news.

It still is very dangerous with 125mph winds. You can cancel my first class ticket and 5 star hotel reservation Legz...

Well, if you're going to bail on the job because of a little wind....you pollo you!! I'm staying here....and I'm a girl!

Currently a Cat 3, but forecasts now showing it should be a Cat 1 as it draws closer to the tip of Baja. This one has been all over the map....well, the Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Intensity Table & the map too, I guess! In the interest of accurate hurricane tracking predictions....I guess we'll see what we get when we get it! But there is no doubt in my mind that we're going to get some of it!

Originally Posted by longlegsinlapaz

:...I guess we'll see what we get when we get it! But there is no doubt in my mind that we're going to get some of it!

Profound

I dare anyone to try to prove her wrong!!

Why, thank you!! I write my own stuff! No ghost or speech writers on my payroll! Bet ya couldn't tell! And Yeah!!! What Kate said!

For inquiring minds, I believe in playing things close....the skylite is being screwed & glued in place as I type! Stand by GB....you might not be off the hook yet! But lodging & transportation will be re-negotiated since you wimped out because of a little wind!

Thank God (or your preferred deity). I was awake soooo early this morning worried that the screwing wouldn't get done in time