Hurricane Kristy Strengthens to Category 4 in the Pacific

Hurricane Kristy has intensified to a Category 4 storm, with maximum sustained winds reaching 155 mph. As it moves westward in the Pacific Ocean, forecasters predict it will remain offshore and avoid land. However, it is expected to generate dangerous waves that could impact the Baja California peninsula later this week, creating life-threatening surf and rip current conditions. There are currently no coastal watches or warnings in effect.

Hurricane Kristy intensified to a Category 4 storm on Wednesday, remaining over open waters, according to forecasters.

The hurricane was located 710 miles (1,140 kilometers) south-southwest of Mexico's Baja California peninsula, moving west at 20 mph (31 kph), with maximum sustained winds of 155 mph (250 kph), just below Category 5, as reported by the National Hurricane Center in Miami.

Kristy is expected to generate waves impacting the west coast of Baja California late this week, potentially leading to dangerous surf and rip current conditions.

Kristy first formed as a tropical storm on Monday and transitioned to hurricane status by Tuesday, with further strengthening anticipated on Wednesday and Thursday before a gradual decline beginning Friday.

The storm will continue moving over open waters without any coastal warnings in effect.

Brad Reinhart, a senior hurricane specialist, noted that Kristy's westward trajectory poses no threat to land.

In the Atlantic, Hurricane Oscar weakened to tropical remnants on Tuesday after making landfall in Cuba as a Category 1 hurricane on Sunday, causing flooding and power outages on the island.

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Source: business-standard‍