Is Hurricane Patricia the last storm of the hurricane season?

As Puerto Vallarta and Riviera Nayarit prepares itself for the arrival of Hurricane Patricia, locals and tourists ask themselves the question, when will hurricane season end this year? While Puerto Vallarta and Riviera Nayarit have been pretty lucky this year, with only mild rainfall and high tides affecting it during 2015’s hurricane season, many residents still remember the effects of Hurricane Kenna in October 2002, and let’s not forget hurricane Odile that hit Cabo San Lucas last year.

Hurricane Patricia “Now an extremely dangerous hurricane”

According to www.weather.com, Hurricane Patricia has now strengthened into a dangerous hurricane, of category 4 strength, which means a hurricane warning for Mexico’s Pacific Coast, including Puerto Vallarta and Riviera Nayarit. Looking at the hurricane’s trajectory on the weather map, it is likely that the effects of the hurricane noticed in Puerto Vallarta will be much like a tropical storm with heavy rain, high winds and surging tides.

It is unclear whether Puerto Vallarta’s International airport will be taking precautions to protect itself from Hurricane Patricia. At present, the airport is fully operational. If you are flying home from or arriving to Puerto Vallarta and Riviera Nayarit within the next two or three days, you should pay special attention to the news reports and check with the airport that your flight is still running as scheduled.

Photo from NOAA

Hurricane Patricia Due to Make Landfall

Hurricane Patricia is due to make landfall in Mexico on Friday morning, by which time the category 4 hurricane could have strengthened even further. While alerts for Hurricane Patricia are more urgent along Mexico’s southern Pacific coast, the southern tip of Banderas Bay and Cabo Corrientes look set to take the brunt of Hurricane Patricia with heavy rainfall and winds predicted for Puerto Vallarta.

What Precautions should you take in Puerto Vallarta

Even though the effects of Hurricane Patricia in Puerto Vallarta are still difficult to predict, state schools in Banderas Bay have been closed until Monday morning. The general advice before and during a hurricane is to refrain from swimming in the ocean, surfing, diving, paddle boarding and snorkelling. Ocean currents can change drastically during hurricane conditions, therefore, you should stay out of the sea until the danger period of hurricane Patricia has passed.

If you find yourself on vacation in Puerto Vallarta, make sure to follow any instructions you may be given by your hotel and keep up to date with the weather report. It is best to stay within your resort or apartment during the period when the hurricane makes landfall and rains begin. It is also a good idea to prepare all of your most important belongings in one bag (passport in a waterproof cover), medical supplies, money and airplane tickets etc in case you may need to evacuate.