Hurricane Simon forecast to get much stronger as it heads to Mexico's Pacific coast

MIAMI (AP) — Hurricane Simon was headed toward part of Mexico’s Pacific coast Friday and forecast to get much stronger.

U.S. forecasters issued a hurricane warning for parts of the central and southwest coast, where hurricane-force winds were expected within 36 hours.

Simon had maximum sustained winds of 120 kph (75 mph) early Friday and was moving northwest at 7 kph (5 mph), the U.S. National Hurricane Center in Miami said.

The Category 1 hurricane was forecast to turn to the north by early Saturday and approach the coast. Simon was expected to intensify rapidly and become a Category 4 storm before landfall. Category 4 hurricanes on the Saffir-Simpson scale have maximum sustained winds of 210-250 kph (130-156 mph).

Simon was centered about 355 kilometers (220 miles) south of Manzanillo and 525 kilometers (325 miles) south-southeast of Cabo Corrientes.

Tropical storm conditions were possible along the coast later Friday.

Simon was expected to produce torrential rainfall that could cause flooding and mudslides. U.S. forecasters said 20 to 38 centimeters (8 to 15 inches) of rain could fall in southwestern Mexico, with isolated areas getting up to 63 centimeters (25 inches).

Farther north, Tropical Storm Rachel was expected to reach Baja California, northwestern Mexico and Southern California this weekend. It had 95 kph (60 mph) winds and was forecast to weaken, though it may bring heavy rain to the area.

Tropical storm activity has been above average this season in the Pacific, due to the effects of a strong El Niño.

The climate phenomenon typically depresses storm activity in the Atlantic. Hurricane Isaias, which was expected to hit the U.S. Gulf Coast late Friday or Saturday, developed more than four months into the Atlantic hurricane season.

This satellite image provided by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, or NOAA shows Hurrican Simon in the Pacific on Friday, Oct. 9, 2026. (National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration via AP)

YOKOHAMA, Japan (AP) — Keith Mitchell shot a 6-under 65 on Friday to share the top of the leaderboard at the PGA's Baycurrent Classic with first-round leader Jacob Bridgeman.

Bridgeman finished with a 68 on a sunny golfing day to go with his opening 63 at the Yokohama Country Club.

The two leaders were two shots clear of a group of four including Ben Kohles who had a 9-under 62, the low round of the day. Also two shots back of the lead were Mac Meissner (68), Max Homa (68) and Zack Bouchou (64),

The PGA Tour’s lone stop in Asia features its strongest field of the FedEx Cup Fall series, with 13 of the 24 players who competed in the Presidents Cup two weeks ago at Medinah in the Chicago suburbs.

Mitchell said the enthusiastic gallery helped him, and he said he spends time researching the Japanese food scene before he makes the trip.

“I love it over here. It’s always on my schedule,” he said. “I love Japan. I think just the energy here just helps me play a little bit better for some reason.”

Bridgeman had what might be described as a grinding round. But he got it done.

“I didn’t quite have the same game I had yesterday today so it was a little bit more difficult to make as many birdies, but I think I kind of realized that early and was able to play kind of conservative and plot my way around the course,” he said. "Navigated it pretty good, was able to post a good number.

Japan's top star, Hideki Matsuyama, shot a 1-over 72 and was eight shots off the lead. Xander Schauffele carded a 69 and was also eight shots back.

See AP’s full golf coverage here

USA teams' Jacob Bridgeman watches his shot on the 13th green against the International team during a Presidents Cup golf tournament third round foursome match at Medinah Country Club, Saturday, Sept. 26, 2026, in Medinah, Ill. (AP Photo/Chris Carlson)