Hurricane Kiko
Two powerful storms are developing in the eastern Pacific: Hurricane Kiko has rapidly intensified to a major Category 4 hurricane, while Hurricane Lorena has strengthened to Category 1 and is headed toward Mexico’s Baja California coast.
Hurricane Kiko: Major Strength, Minimal Threat to Land
- As of September 3, 2025, Hurricane Kiko was upgraded to Category 4, with sustained winds up to 145 mph (233 kph), though some sources report 130 mph (215 kph). It’s centered roughly 1,560 miles east of Hilo, Hawaii, moving westward at about 9 mph Houston Chronicle+12AP News+12Reuters+12.
- Forecasters caution that Kiko could strengthen further, but its path remains over open ocean, posing no threat to land at this time AP News+1.
Hurricane Lorena: Escalation Toward Baja California
- Hurricane Lorena is now a Category 1 storm with sustained winds around 75–80 mph (120 kph) and is located approximately 165–210 miles west of Cabo San Lucas koat.com+15AP News+15Reuters+15.
- As Lorena moves northwest, it is expected to weaken to a tropical storm by Thursday and potentially make landfall in Baja California by Friday Reuters+4AP News+4Dallas News+4.
Impacts & Hazards: Mexico and Beyond
- Authorities have issued tropical storm warnings and watches across much of Baja California, particularly Baja California Sur koat.com+14Reuters+14ABC7 Los Angeles+14.
- Rainfall up to 15 inches (38 cm) is expected in parts of Baja California Sur and northwestern Mexico, raising serious risks for flash flooding and mudslides in mountainous areas CBS News+3AP News+3ABC7 Los Angeles+3.
- Coastal regions should also brace for dangerous surf and rip currents AP News+1.
Secondary Effects: U.S. Weather Watch — Texas in Focus
- While Lorena isn’t expected to make direct landfall in the U.S., its moisture may impact Texas, especially central and eastern regions.
- The National Weather Service has issued a Level 1 excessive rainfall threat for much of Texas due to the potential for tropical moisture to interact with weather fronts. This could lead to widespread rain and localized flooding, particularly across West Texas and up the I‑35 corridor from San Antonio to Dallas–Fort Worth. Houston may see increasing rain chances through the weekend CBS News+4Chron+4Houston Chronicle+4.
Final Thoughts
While Hurricane Kiko poses no current land threat, Hurricane Lorena demands attention. Residents in Baja California Sur and northwestern Mexico should stay alert and prepared for heavy rainfall, flooding, and strong surf. People in sections of Texas, particularly West and Central Texas, should also monitor rainfall forecasts over the coming days.
