Tracking Hurricane Priscilla: Mexico’s Coastal Storm and Its U.S. Ripple Effect
Hurricane Priscilla, a powerful Pacific storm, formed in early October 2025 and impacted Mexico’s southwestern coast before sending moisture into the U.S. Southwest. Initially a tropical storm, Priscilla intensified into a Category 2 hurricane with winds peaking at 110 mph, before weakening midweek.
Path and Progression
The storm’s center remained offshore but followed a northwestward path, skimming the coastlines of Jalisco, Colima, and Baja California Sur. Tropical storm watches were issued for regions from Punta San Telmo to Punta Mita, with warnings of high surf and flooding.
Rainfall Totals and Risk Zones
Heavy rainfall drenched parts of Mexico:
Up to 8 inches in mountainous zones
Flash flood risks in Michoacán, Guerrero, and Colima
Rip currents and coastal erosion along Pacific beaches
U.S. Impact: Arizona and Beyond
Moisture from Priscilla reached Arizona, California, and Nevada, bringing:
Rain chances of 40–70% in Phoenix and Globe
Localized flooding alerts in flood-prone areas
Cooler temperatures and increased humidity across the region
Though Hurricane Priscilla weakened by October 9, its lasting effects included flash flood threats, coastal hazards, and tropical moisture surges. The storm served as a reminder of how Pacific hurricanes can influence weather far beyond their origin, especially in vulnerable regions of the southwestern United States.