AccuWeather.com

By Bill Deger, Meteorologist

Oct 12, 2011; 1:50 AM ET

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Though lacking a well-defined eye, this enhanced infrared satellite image taken Tuesday night shows that Jova is still a powerful hurricane. (NOAA)

Hurricane Jova is making landfall in the Mexican state of Jalisco. The risk to lives, property and commerce in the region is extremely high.

The center of Jova is moving into western Mexico as of 11 p.m. PDT (2 a.m. EDT Wednesday) near Chamela, located northwest of Manzanillo.

Jova is a Category 2 hurricane at this time with maximum sustained winds near 100 mph.

With Jova's center tracking onshore, so are its strongest and most destructive winds. These hurricane-force winds extend up to 15 miles from the center.

Tropical storm-force winds encompass a greater area, up to 105 miles away from Jova's center.

Much of the terrain in the area forecast to be hit directly with Hurricane Jova is hilly to mountainous, but there are flat areas as well.

According to Meteorologist Mark Mancuso, "This is a disaster in the making."

Mancuso was referring to the danger of destructive winds, storm surge flooding into low-lying coastal areas and the potential for mudslides and flash flooding in other locations.

Winds will be strongest (gusts in excess of 100 mph) at the coast, leading to structural damage as well as widespread power outages.

With the center of Jova rolling in just to the northwest, Manzanillo will remain the target of powerful west to southwesterly winds that will cause cause huge waves and ocean water to be funneled into and pile-up in harbor areas.

Manzanillo is the largest port in Mexico, has a population of approximately 130,000 people and is home the nation's Pacific Naval Fleet.

Local government officials in the Mexican states of Colima, Jalisco, Michoacan and Nayarit have been preparing for Jova's arrival.

More than 100 shelters were opened over the weekend in Jalisco, with officials noting that heavy machinery is in place to deal with the storm's aftermath. Federal assistance will also be made available.

Flooding will remain a huge concern even after the storm weakens.

According to Meteorologist Dan DePodwin, "Torrential rain will lead to landslides across the high terrain dozens of miles inland."

Indirect effects from Hurricane Jova will reach of Mexico's most popular tourist destinations including Puerto Vallarta and Acapulco.

Large waves and swells will propagate outward from the storm and are a concern for cruise ship and charter fishing voyages along much of the west coast of Mexico. Rough surf will pose a danger to bathers not in the Jova's direct path.

If you are planning a trip to the region over the next few days, be sure to check with your resort, cruise or airline carrier for information on any delays or disruptions. Be sure to keep up with the track of Hurricane Jova here at AccuWeather.com.

Pacific Hurricane Jova is taking a highly unusual path.

According to AccuWeather.com Hurricane Expert Dan Kottlowski, "It is very uncommon for hurricanes track in this manner into this part of Mexico."

The bulk of the hurricanes in this region either parallel the coast or head out to sea.

According to Meteorologist Jesse Ferrell, "Only two hurricanes have made perpendicular landfall within 65 miles of the state of Colima in recorded history."

Another tropical system may follow fresh in the heels of Jova later this week.

Tropical Storm Irwin, spinning just to the west, will likely remain weak until it either approaches the coast or diminishes at the end of the week with outward winds from Jova inhibiting its strengthening potential.

Expert Senior Meteorologist Alex Sosnowski and Senior Meteorologist Kristina Pydynowski contributed to the content of this story.