Hurricane Priscilla Weakens While Tropical Storm Jerry Grows in Atlantic

Fri Dec 05 2025 15:39:14 GMT+0200 (Eastern European Standard Time)

Hurricane Priscilla has weakened as it moves along Mexico's Pacific coast, posing risks of heavy rainfall and flash flooding, while Tropical Storm Jerry is forecasted to strengthen on its path toward the Leeward Islands.

As of Wednesday, Hurricane Priscilla has diminished to a Category 1 storm with sustained winds of 80 mph, affecting the Pacific coast of Mexico and potentially the Southwestern United States with flash flooding. Meanwhile, Tropical Storm Jerry, with winds of 50 mph, is anticipated to strengthen into a hurricane on its way towards the Leeward Islands, prompting a tropical storm watch for several islands in the region.

MIAMI (AP) — Hurricane Priscilla weakened in the Pacific as it moved Wednesday along the west coast of Mexico while Tropical Storm Jerry in the Atlantic was expected to strengthen on a track for the Leeward Islands, forecasters said.

Priscilla on Tuesday approached major hurricane status, but by Wednesday morning was a Category 1 storm with maximum sustained winds around 80 mph (129 kph), the U.S. National Hurricane Center in Miami said.

Still, heavy rainfall and flash flooding are possible this week as the storm moves along Mexico’s Pacific coast and into the Southwestern United States later this week and into the weekend.

The storm is moving northwest at 8 mph (13 kph) and is centered about 195 miles (314 kilometers) southwest of the southern tip of Baja California, according to forecasters.

In the Atlantic, Tropical Storm Jerry had top winds of 50 mph (80 kph) and was centered about 835 miles (1,344 kilometers) east-southeast of the northern Leeward Islands while moving west-northwest at 23 mph (37 kph).

Forecasters expect Jerry to strengthen into a hurricane by Thursday, with its core anticipated to be near or north of the northern Leeward Islands late Thursday into Friday.

On Thursday into early Friday, 2 to 4 inches (5 to 10 centimeters) of rain could fall across the Leeward Islands, raising the risk of flash flooding. A tropical storm watch is currently in effect for Antigua, Barbuda, Anguilla, St. Kitts, Nevis, Montserrat, St. Barts, St. Martin, and Saba and St. Eustatius.

In the Pacific, a tropical storm watch due to Hurricane Priscilla is in effect for Baja California Sur, from Cabo San Lucas to Cabo San Lazaro. Priscilla is forecast to continue its weakening trend on Wednesday.

Large waves generated by Priscilla are affecting portions of the coast of southwestern and west-central Mexico, including the southern Baja California peninsula. Meanwhile, Tropical Storm Octave is weakening about 720 miles (1,159 kilometers) southwest of the southern tip of Baja California with winds at 40 mph (64 kph) and is not threatening land. It is expected to dissipate by Thursday night.