With a weather condition probably going to go into the record books as one of the most rapidly intensifying hurricanes “Rick” is the second-strongest hurricane in the eastern North Pacific since 1966, when experts began keeping reliable records. (The strongest was Hurricane Linda, which generated maximum winds of 185 mph (296 km/h) in September 1997). At the current track forecast – bear in mind that significant errors in landfall location and timing are possible in the 4- and 5-day time frame – hurricane Rick could reach La Paz or pass not far away.The hurricane is projected to stay off the Mexican coast for days to come before closing in on the Baja California Peninsula as a Category 1 or Category 2 hurricane sometime Wednesday, NOOA forecasters say. At this early Sunday Hurricane Rick churns up potentially dangerous surf along a stretch of Mexico’s coast as an “extremely dangerous” Category 5 storm.

Click for larger display

The storm is generating some waves up to 50 feet (15 meters) high near its core, (there were also ship reports of 16-foot (5-meter) seas elsewhere off the Mexican coast), according to Hurricane Center meteorologist Hugh Cobb. He said the storm’s danger should not be underestimated, however, as Rick will still have the potential as a Category 1 or Category 2 storm to provoke heavy rains and unleash mudslides.

Cobb also said it is still uncertain whether the eye of the storm will make landfall. Rick was forecast to pass early in the week near Socorro Island, about 300 miles (500 kilometers) southwest of Cabo San Lucas. The island is a nature reserve with a small Mexican Navy post and it hosts scuba-diving expeditions in winter months.

Related posts:

1. Tropical Storm Patricia headed for Baja Sur Tropical Storm Patricia headed for a drenching of Mexico’s...

Fall 2010 coming to La Paz: 43rd SCORE Tecate Baja 1000.