Hurricane Lidia, a Category 4 hurricane, made landfall along the Pacific Coast of west-central Mexico on Tuesday, threatening the popular tourist destination of Puerto Vallarta in the state of Jalisco. This came after Tropical Storm Max had hit the southern coast of Mexico the previous day. As of 10 p.m. Central Time, Lidia was approximately 30 miles east of Puerto Vallarta, with maximum sustained winds of 105 mph, categorizing it as a Category 2 hurricane. Reports from Jalisco and Nayarit states indicated downed trees, power lines, and landslides on some highways, but there were no reports of injuries or deaths.

Throughout the day, Lidia had intensified, growing from a Category 2 hurricane with 100 mph winds to a Category 3 hurricane with 115 mph winds by noon. The National Hurricane Center (NHC) warned of "life-threatening winds and flooding rainfall" spreading over the region. However, the center also predicted that the hurricane would rapidly weaken as it moved inland. Lidia was expected to bring up to 12 inches of rain to Nayarit, Sinaloa, and coastal Jalisco, potentially causing flash flooding, urban flooding, and mudslides. Albert Martinez, a meteorologist at The Weather Channel en Espa?±ol, emphasized the danger of the heavy rainfall, particularly for Puerto Vallarta, which would also experience strong hurricane winds.

The hurricane's impact extended beyond wind and rain. The NHC issued a warning regarding "a dangerous storm surge" and "large and dangerous waves" that would cause significant coastal flooding near and south of Lidia's landfall. Life-threatening surf and rip currents were also expected along the western coast of Mexico and the Baja California peninsula. The Mexican government expanded its hurricane warning to include a 350-mile stretch of the Pacific Coast, from Manzanillo in Colima to El Roblito in Nayarit, which encompassed Puerto Vallarta. Tropical storm warnings were in place for parts of Baja California Sur, while a hurricane warning remained for Manzanillo to San Blas, and a tropical storm warning remained for Punta San Telmo to Manzanillo.

The development of Lidia was attributed to warm sea surface temperatures and favorable upper-level wind patterns. While the landfall area was not densely populated, concerns were raised for Puerto Vallarta, a popular tourist city with international popularity. Puerto Vallarta has previously faced safety concerns, with the U.S. State Department urging travelers to “reconsider” visiting due to violent crime and gang activity. Moreover, the Treasury Department had recently announced sanctions against members of the Jalisco drug cartel, who had targeted elderly Americans in a timeshare fraud scam centered in Puerto Vallarta.

By 12 p.m., Lidia was approximately 155 miles southwest of Puerto Vallarta, moving closer to shore. It had strengthened to a Category 3 hurricane, with maximum sustained winds of 115 mph. The hurricane center warned of potential further strengthening and anticipated dangerous hurricane-force winds, rain, and flooding to begin in the afternoon. The exact location of landfall was unknown, but Lidia was expected to be at or near major hurricane strength when it made landfall. As Lidia moved inland, it was predicted to rapidly weaken, but the threat of heavy rainfall persisted, with up to 12 inches expected in certain areas.

The NHC urged residents in the warning areas to complete preparations to protect life and property. The Mexican government had already expanded its hurricane warning earlier in the day, and conditions were expected to worsen throughout the day for the Las Islas Mar?­as archipelago and the surrounding region of Mexico's west-central coast. The NHC provided key messages, emphasizing the need for caution and preparedness.

Overall, Hurricane Lidia posed a significant threat to the west-central coast of Mexico, with potential for destructive winds, heavy rainfall, storm surge, and coastal flooding. The focus was on Puerto Vallarta, a popular tourist destination already facing safety concerns. Authorities and residents were urged to take necessary precautions to minimize the potential impact of the hurricane.