The Pacific hurricane season has officially kicked off with a splash — Tropical Storm Amanda has formed, bringing 45 mph winds and a whole lot of ocean spray. But before you start battening down the hatches, here's the good news: this storm is nowhere near land, and it's expected to fizzle out by Sunday.
According to the National Hurricane Center, Amanda was located about 1,630 miles off the southwest tip of Baja California, moving west-northwest at around 9 mph. Sustained winds are clocking in at 45 mph, with little change expected in the short term. But the NHC says a gradual weakening will begin Friday night and continue through the weekend, eventually reducing Amanda to a remnant low by Sunday.
So, will it make landfall? All signs point to no. The storm's current path keeps it well out to sea, far from any population centers. That's a relief for coastal residents, but it doesn't mean the Pacific is done stirring things up.
Forecasters are already eyeing another system — a trough of low pressure off the southwestern coast of Mexico — that could develop into a tropical depression late this weekend or early next week. The NHC gives it a 70% chance of development over the next seven days. That system is expected to move slowly northeastward or northward near the coast of southern Mexico, so folks in that region should keep an eye on the forecast.
The formation of Amanda marks the first named storm of the 2026 Pacific season, but it's hardly a sign of things to come. The storm is expected to weaken steadily, and its remote location means it poses no immediate threat. Still, it's a reminder that the season is underway, and more activity could be on the horizon.
For those wondering about severe weather elsewhere, gusts up to 80 mph have triggered warnings in the Midwest, and flood watches are in effect for two U.S. regions as storms loom. It's a busy weather week across the country.
As for Amanda, it's a classic case of a storm that makes a splash but quickly fades. The NHC's forecast calls for a turn toward the west later Friday, followed by a southwestward turn by Saturday, before the system weakens into a remnant low. No major impacts are expected, but the storm serves as an early-season reminder that the Pacific can still throw a curveball.
So grab your umbrella if you're in the path of the next potential system, but for now, Amanda is just a blip on the radar — one that's already starting to fade.
