Skip to content

Hurricane Gilma now a Category 2 and expected to intensify, forecasters say

c7f375a987cc7ae1de7352a70eb083fad36dcaff247e5672f1c726731e3ab6ca
This satellite image provided by NOAA shows Hurricane Gilma located west-southwest of the southern tip of the Baja California peninsula of Mexico, Wednesday, Aug. 21, 2024. (NOAA via AP)

MEXICO CITY (AP) — Gilma strengthened into a Category 2 hurricane Wednesday afternoon in the eastern Pacific Ocean and was forecast to become a major hurricane as soon as Thursday.

Hurricane Gilma was located about 975 miles (1,570 kilometers) west-southwest of the southern tip of the Baja California peninsula of Mexico, according to the National Hurricane Center in Miami.

The storm could become a Category 4 hurricane by Thursday afternoon, forecasters said. There are no coastal watches or warnings in effect. Gilma had strengthened to tropical storm status on Sunday. Gilma was moving west-northwest at 7 mph (11 kph).

Maximum sustained winds were near 105 mph (165 kph). Hurricane-force winds extended outward up to 30 miles (48 kilometers) from the center and tropical-storm-force winds extend outward up to 125 miles (205 kilometers).

The Associated Press

push icon
Be the first to read breaking stories. Enable push notifications on your device. Disable anytime.
No thanks