Fausto Likely to Become First Hurricane, Generate Swells

Tropical Storm Fausto is strengthening over the eastern Pacific Ocean and is forecast to become the first hurricane of the Northern Hemisphere season by Monday night, July 20, 2026. The storm poses no immediate threat to land but is expected to send dangerous swells toward the coast of Baja California and Southern California later this week.

As of Monday, the storm was located roughly 775 miles southwest of the southern tip of Baja California, with maximum sustained winds near 65 mph. It was moving west-northwest at about 13 mph. Forecasters at the National Hurricane Center said Fausto is expected to intensify rapidly over the next 48 hours as it moves over very warm water, potentially reaching the equivalent of a strong Category 2 hurricane by midweek. After that, the storm is forecast to encounter cooler water and drier air, which should initiate a period of gradual weakening.

While the storm's center is predicted to remain well offshore, its effects will reach coastal areas. The National Hurricane Center warned that swells generated by Fausto are likely to reach the west coast of the Baja California Peninsula by Wednesday, producing life-threatening surf and rip currents....