Gilma has intensified into the second hurricane of this year’s eastern Pacific Ocean season, reaching Category 1 strength early on Wednesday. Forecasts indicate that the storm will remain over open waters, away from land.
According to the U.S. National Hurricane Center, Hurricane Gilma was located approximately 935 miles (1,504 kilometers) west-southwest of the southern tip of Mexico’s Baja California peninsula. The storm had strengthened to tropical storm status on Sunday before becoming a hurricane.
Currently, there are no coastal watches or warnings in effect, as Gilma poses no immediate threat to land. The hurricane is moving west at about 10 mph (16 kph), with expectations of a slightly slower westward to west-northwest trajectory over the next few days. Forecasters anticipate additional strengthening during this period.
Maximum sustained winds are near 75 mph (120 kph), with higher gusts recorded. Hurricane-force winds extend outward up to 25 miles (40 kilometers) from the center, while tropical-storm-force winds reach up to 140 miles (225 kilometers).
While Gilma is expected to remain over open waters without impacting coastal regions, its development marks a significant point in the eastern Pacific hurricane season, highlighting increased tropical activity.
Reference(s):
cgtn.com
