Informational notice: this article is published for information and prevention only. Everything about hurricanes can change quickly, including their formation, track and intensity. Always check the latest official bulletins from the National Hurricane Center, the National Meteorological Service (SMN) and Protección Civil, and follow their instructions.
Hurricane Simon is weakening off the coast of Jalisco, and after days of closed beaches, a closed airport and high surf, it is tempting to exhale. Please do, but only a little. The eastern Pacific hurricane season does not end until November 30, and the National Hurricane Center is already watching its next candidate.
What forecasters are watching
In its outlook issued on Sunday, October 11, the National Hurricane Center (NHC) reported a tropical wave south of southern Mexico producing disorganized showers and thunderstorms. Conditions are expected to favor gradual development, and a tropical depression could form well south of southern Mexico by the middle or latter part of this week. The NHC gave it a 40 percent chance of forming within 48 hours and 90 percent within seven days. If it strengthens into a tropical storm, it would be named Trudy.
To be clear: as of that outlook, there is no forecast track threatening Puerto Vallarta. The point is not to worry. The point is that the season has not finished, and the storms of this autumn have shown how quickly the situation can change.
Why October and November still matter
Late-season storms are not a rarity on this coast. On October 10, 2023, Hurricane Lidia came ashore in Jalisco near Puerto Vallarta as a Category 4 hurricane, and the airport, the beaches and hotels closed. A calm stretch of weather is not a reason to put your plan away.
Keep your guard up, calmly
You do not need to live in alarm. A few habits are enough:
- Keep your kit ready. Drinking water for at least 72 hours (local authorities have recommended storing water before storms), flashlights, a charged power bank, medication, copies of your documents and some cash.
- Check your home before the next alert, not during it. Test shutters and windows, clear balcony drains and secure furniture, planters and loose items.
- Know who is responsible if you are away. If you own a home here and are abroad, confirm that your property manager or condominium administration has a plan and your updated phone number.
- Use official sources. Follow Protección Civil, the National Meteorological Service (SMN) and the NHC. Viral videos and forwarded messages are often old or out of context.
- Respect the closures. When beaches and the Malecón are closed, stay away. High surf can reach farther than it looks, and photos are not worth the risk.
A realistic view of living here
Puerto Vallarta is a city that prepares: it closes, protects and reopens in an organized way. Living here well means accepting the season, respecting it and being ready for it. If you want help reviewing your property, your plan for the months you are away, or what to ask before buying, our team is happy to help. Write to neft@legacyvallartarealty.com.
Sources: National Hurricane Center, Eastern Pacific Tropical Weather Outlook issued October 11, 2026; National Hurricane Center season definition (May 15 to November 30); National Meteorological Service (SMN).
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