Tropical Storm Amanda forms in eastern Pacific; Hurricane threat looms
The first tropical storm of the eastern Pacific season has formed. Two other areas of interest have the potential to develop into a hurricane and bring dangerous weather to Mexico.
Amanda isn’t likely to do much before it dissipates, but where might the second tropical storm of 2026 form?
Tropical Storm Amanda has formed in the eastern Pacific Ocean, becoming the first named storm of the year within 1,500 miles of the Americas. An area of tropical interest and a tropical rainstorm near Mexico could further organize this weekend and eventually impact parts of the coast.
Following Amanda on the list of names for the 2026 Pacific season are Boris and Cristina.
"Amanda will slowly fade this weekend as it travels into cooler waters," AccuWeather Lead Hurricane Expert Alex DaSilva said.
Amanda is located about halfway between Mexico and Hawaii and should not pose a threat to the islands or any land areas.
In this image, taken on Friday, June 5, 2026, Amanda appears left of center as a fading low-level swirl of clouds over the eastern Pacific. Farther to the east, near the coasts of Mexico and Central America, thunderstorm activity is on the upswing and is forecast to lead to one to two new tropical cyclones in the coming days. (AccuWeather Enhanced RealVue™ Satellite)
"Amanda is unlikely to develop into a hurricane, but the separate developing systems near Central America and southwestern Mexico have a greater likelihood, and one could even reach major hurricane strength if it remains over water long enough," DaSilva said.
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There is now one area of interest near the coast of Central America, expected to have the best opportunity for tropical development from this weekend into early next week. To the northwest of the existing area of interest, there is now a newly declared tropical rainstorm off the southwestern coast of Mexico. This is designated as Invest 91-E by the National Hurricane Center.
"Sea-surface temperatures in the area of interest are well into the 80s Fahrenheit," DaSilva said. Tropical systems typically require water temperatures of at least 80 degrees Fahrenheit to develop and strengthen.
Warm ocean water and relatively low wind shear could allow one or both systems to strengthen rapidly after formation, potentially intensifying from a tropical storm into a powerful hurricane.
Residents and visitors along Mexico's southwestern coast should closely monitor forecasts over the coming week. If either system strengthens and drifts toward land, risks could include damaging winds, storm surge, flash flooding and mudslides, depending on its eventual track and intensity.
AccuWeather forecasts a very active eastern Pacific hurricane season
AccuWeather meteorologists expect a significant number of tropical storms and hurricanes during the 2026 eastern Pacific hurricane season, which officially runs through Nov. 30.
"We are projecting 17 to 22 named storms, including nine to 13 hurricanes, in the eastern Pacific this season," DaSilva said. "At least six of those storms are expected to directly affect western Mexico or Central America."
Multiple tropical storms and hurricanes are also forecast across the central Pacific this season, with one or two expected to affect Hawaii directly.
One of the primary drivers of the expected activity is a developing El Niño pattern. El Niño is the warmer phase of a routine alternating fluctuation in tropical Pacific sea-surface water temperatures.
"Looking at temperature anomalies in recent weeks and at present, it appears that El Niño has begun, as we anticipated it would," AccuWeather's Lead Long-Range Meteorologist Paul Pastelok said. "We are just waiting on the official word from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) at this point."
AccuWeather forecasters believe El Niño could strengthen significantly and potentially rank among the strongest events on record, creating favorable conditions for tropical cyclone development across the eastern and central Pacific.
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