Satellite image shows Hurricane Trudy churning off the coast of Mexico on Oct. 18, 2026. NOAA/NESDIS/STAR – GOES 19
The Eastern Pacific’s active hurricane season remains ongoing as Hurricane Trudy churns off the coast of Central Mexico on Oct. 18.
Boasting maximum sustained winds of 100 mph, its center was last tagged by the National Hurricane Center 105 miles southwest of Cabo Corrientes, Mexico. Tropical storm-force winds (39 mph–73 mph) are extending out 105 miles from the storm’s center, bringing that cape and the city of Puerto Vallarta into range. Hurricane-force winds (74 mph or greater) are extending 30 miles out from the storm’s center.
Trudy’s trajectory, which passes by a part of Mexico’s coastline that protrudes to the northwest, presents the potential for dangerous storm surge.
The National Hurricane Center warned, “A dangerous storm surge accompanied by damaging waves is likely in areas of onshore winds within the warning areas,” but issued no forecasted numbers.
Life-threatening surf and rip currents are ongoing and are expected to continue to hit the coast for the next few days.
Regarding rainfall, the hurricane center warned: “Heavy rainfall associated with Trudy will continue to impact the southwest Mexican coast between Colima and Nayarit through today. This rainfall may produce life-threatening flooding and mudslides, especially in areas along steep terrain.”
A tropical storm warning remains in effect for mainland Mexico’s coastline from Playa Pérula to San Blas, and for Las Islas Marias further to the north.
Trudy is expected to weaken to a tropical depression and then dissipate within the next three to four days.
Meanwhile, on the other side of the Pacific, Typhoon Champi has impacted Guam. It reached the equivalent strength of a Category 4 hurricane, with maximum sustained winds reaching 150 mph, delivering some effects to the Northern Marianas Islands, Rota, Tinian, and Saipan.
The National Weather Service’s forecast office for the U.S. territory reported hurricane-force winds of 115–135 mph as the storm’s eyewall scraped the southern end before sunrise on the morning of Oct. 18.
“Venturing outside can result in death from flying projectiles,” the National Weather Service warned. “Unreinforced non-concrete structures will be significantly damaged or destroyed. Non-concrete utility poles and associated power lines will be downed, posing a risk to life.”
The entire island was also under a flash flood warning as multiple inches of rain were dispersed.
The typhoon warning was canceled on the morning of Oct. 18, local time, but the island was still facing winds of 25–35 mph with gusts up to 45 mph. Rain amounts of two to four inches kept the flood risk alive. Combined seas were still 12–16 feet, and high surf with dangerous rip currents have persisted.
Residents were advised to stay put and wait for an “all clear” from local authorities.
The exact amount of damage done to the territory by Typhoon Champi is unclear.
Between Guam and Mexico, the Central Pacific is all quiet after already recording an incredibly active season. The National Hurricane Center said that as of Oct. 18, no tropical cyclone activity was expected for at least the next seven days.
