‘Life-Threatening Surf’ Expected in Mexico from Hurricane Priscilla

Originally posted on SURFER | By August Howell | Last updated Oct 7, 2025 4:54 PM ET

It turns out Hurricane Narda, which bombarded Southern California with south swell last week, wasn’t the last storm we’ll see this fall. Hurricane Priscilla is approaching Category 3 force (sustained winds of 111 to 129 mph) while it moves northwest away from Mexico.

Forecasters said the storm is producing sustained winds of around 110 mph with the eye centered roughly 210 miles southwest of the tip of Baja. The hurricane-force winds extend outward up to 45 miles from the center and tropical-storm-force winds extend outward up to 185 miles. Priscilla is expected to develop into a Category 3 before slowly tapering off on Wednesday. While surfers north of the border can expect to see swell later in the week and into this weekend, things are getting sketchy in Baja.

The storm is already hammering the peninsula with heavy rains, and the region is expected to receive up to 4 inches of rain through Wednesday, October 8, which could result in flash flooding. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration has issued a tropical storm watch for Baja California Sur from Cabo San Lucas to Cabo San Lazaro, and stated that Priscilla could generate seasons “ likely to cause life-threatening surf and rip current conditions” in parts of west-central Mexico, as well as the southern Baja California peninsula.

Priscilla is forecast to downgrade into a tropical storm or depression by the end of the week after it makes landfall. Surfline Senior Forecast Manager Schaler Perry said that Priscilla’s northerly track is expected to be similar to that of Hurricane Hillary in August 2024. This means that swell will be much more selective at south and south-east facing spots compared to Hurricane Narda, which sent widespread south-southwest from San Diego to Ventura.

Mark Sponsler of Stormsurf.com noted Priscilla in his daily briefing, writing: “Priscilla is to continue tracking northwest and deeper into the Southern CA swell window Thurs PM (10/9) with winds barely hurricane force 70 kts and on the 175 degree path to Dana Point. Priscilla to be fading fast while stalling after that 600 miles south of Dana Point. Swell seems likely for exposed breaks in Southern CA. Something to monitor.”

This article first appeared on SURFER and was syndicated with permission.

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