Hurricane Fausto is tracking steadily westward across the open Eastern Pacific, approximately 1845 km (1145 mi) west-southwest of the southern tip of Baja California. Gradual weakening is expected through the weekend as the storm crosses into the Central Pacific basin. No coastal watches or warnings are currently in effect.
CURRENT STATUS
Based on the latest NHC Public Advisory analysis on July 23, 2026 21:00 UTC
- Location: 18.2°N, 126.9°W — approximately 1845 km (1145 mi) WSW of the southern tip of Baja California; approximately 2965 km (1840 mi) east of Hilo, Hawaii
- Intensity: Hurricane
- Movement: West at 22 km/h (12 kt)
- Central pressure: 980 mb
- Maximum sustained winds: 85 mph (140 km/h / 75 kt)
- Gusts: 90 kt (167 km/h)
- 64-kt (hurricane-force) radius: up to 75 km (45 mi) from centre
- 34-kt (tropical-storm-force) radius: up to 295 km (185 mi) from centre
GOES Image Viewer (GeoColor) valid 24 July, 2026 01:50 UTC
FORECAST TRACK SUMMARY
Tracking westward across the open Eastern Pacific Ocean, Hurricane Fausto is steered by a well-established ridge to its north and is forecast to continue on this westward heading over the coming days. By 06:00 UTC on 24 July, the centre is projected near 18.5°N, 128.9°W, continuing to near 18.8°N, 131.7°W by 18:00 UTC on 24 July and near 19.2°N, 134.3°W by 06:00 UTC on 25 July. The storm is expected to cross from the Eastern Pacific into the Central Pacific basin near 140°W around 18:00 UTC on 26 July, with the centre projected near 20.1°N, 141.3°W at that time.
The centre is forecast near 20.7°N, 147.0°W by 18:00 UTC on 27 July and near 21.2°N, 153.1°W—approximately 265 km (165 mi) north-northeast of Hilo, Hawaii by 18:00 UTC on 28 July. The long-range track brings Fausto generally toward the main Hawaiian Islands; however, it is too early to assess any potential impacts.
The average track forecast errors is approximately 100 NM (185 km) by 27 July and 125 NM (232 km) by 28 July, with intensity errors of approximately 15 kt per day across the extended period.
INTENSITY FORECAST
Maintaining current intensity of 75 kt (140 km/h) through 06:00 UTC on 24 July, Hurricane Fausto is then forecast to weaken gradually as it tracks into an increasingly dry air mass over marginal sea surface temperatures. By 18:00 UTC on 24 July, sustained winds of 70 kt (130 km/h) is forecasted to decline to 65 kt (120 km/h) by 06:00 UTC on 25 July and 55 kt (102 km/h) by 18:00 UTC on 26 July. The system is expected to maintain tropical cyclone intensity through 28 July, reaching approximately 45 kt (83 km/h) by 18:00 UTC.
IMPACTS & THREATS
Tracking westward across the open Eastern Pacific through 28 July, the storm presents hazards for maritime operations across a wide area while generating swells that are affecting the coasts of Baja California and southern California.
Surf: Swells generated by Fausto are affecting the west coast of the Baja California Peninsula and the coast of southern California, likely to cause life-threatening surf and rip current conditions.
Winds: Winds of 64 kt (119 km/h) or greater currently extend up to 40 NM (74 km) to the northeast and 30 NM (56 km) to the northwest of the storm's centre over the Eastern Pacific Ocean, with the 34-kt (63 km/h) wind field reaching up to 160 NM (296 km) to the southeast of the centre—the widest extent. As the storm gradually weakens, the 64-kt wind field is forecast to contract by 26 July, with the 34-kt wind field diminishing to approximately 10 NM (204 km) at that time.
Waves: Significant wave heights of 4 metres or greater extend up to 270 NM (500 km) to the northeast and northwest of Hurricane Fausto’s centre, and 150 NM (278 km) to the southeast and southwest, posing a significant hazard for vessels operating in the Eastern Pacific Ocean in the vicinity of the storm.
Advisories referenced are issued by the National Hurricane Center (NHC), a division of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), providing official track, intensity, and hazard forecasts for tropical cyclones in the Atlantic and Eastern Pacific basins.
Weathernews Inc. assumes no liability for navigational decisions, losses, or damages resulting from reliance on this general overview.
While official observations guide the general threat assessment, highly detailed, proprietary routing and port forecasts are essential for safe navigation. Weathernews services provide customers with 24/7 localized data to ensure your vessels remain safe and well-informed. Please consult our dedicated services for the most up-to-date, detailed predictions for your specific routes and operations.
Note on the storm's name: "Fausto" is drawn from the 2026 Eastern North Pacific tropical cyclone name list, the sixth name in the season's sequence. Eastern North Pacific tropical cyclone names are pre-selected from six rotating lists. To learn more about how storms are named, please visit the World Meteorological Organization (WMO) website.
