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By Joe Edwards
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As Tropical Storm Genevieve weakens over the eastern Pacific after previously reaching Category 5 strength, forecasters say the system is still generating hazardous surf and rip currents along parts of Southern California and the Baja California Peninsula this weekend.
AccuWeather said that Genevieve developed from a tropical depression on July 24 far off Mexico's coast, strengthening into a tropical storm later that day. It reached hurricane status on July 25 and then underwent rapid intensification on July 26, becoming a Category 4 hurricane with sustained winds of 155 mph. By Sunday night, AccuWeather reported that Genevieve's winds had increased to 160 mph, making it a Category 5 hurricane.
The system has since been downgraded back to a tropical storm, according to an update from the National Hurricane Center (NHC) Thursday night.
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In a recent forecast update, the NHC said Genevieve continued to steadily weaken.
The system was moving west-northwestward near 14 miles per hour—a general motion expected to continue over the next several days, it said.
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The agency reported maximum sustained winds near 65 miles per hour, with high gusts, and said gradual weakening is forecast over the coming days, with the system expected to become a remnant low late this weekend.
"Swells generated by Genevieve are affecting portions of the Baja California Peninsula and Southern California," the NHC warned. "These swells will persist for the next several days, and are causing life-threatening surf and rip current conditions. Please consult products from your local weather office."
"Genevieve is now a tropical storm and will continue to lose wind intensity as it moves to the northwest over the open waters of the East Pacific," AccuWeather meteorologist Dan Pydynowski told Newsweek. "As it continues to gain latitude, it will move across increasingly cooler waters by early next week. Genevieve should become a tropical depression by Sunday night and then should largely dissipate by the middle of next week."
AccuWeather lead hurricane expert previously Alex DaSilva told Newsweek that rough surf and dangerous rip currents would persist along the west coast of Mexico and in Southern California through the week.
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As of Friday morning, beach hazards statements from the National Weather Service span California's Central Coast and Southern California, including San Luis Obispo County Beaches, Santa Barbara County Central Coast Beaches, Santa Barbara County Southwestern Coast, Santa Barbara County Southeastern Coast and Lake Casitas.
The bulletin warned of dangerous rip currents and elevated surf, with "very strong rip currents likely" for some areas, particularly exposed south to southwest facing beaches. The notice is in place through Saturday afternoon as of reporting.
"There is an increased risk of ocean drowning due to hazardous rip currents. Rip currents can pull swimmers and surfers out to sea," the NWS warned. "Waves can wash people off beaches and rocks, and capsize small boats nearshore."
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Eastern Pacific Hurricane Season Forecast
The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s Climate Prediction Center previously said an above-normal eastern Pacific hurricane season was most likely this year, assigning it a 70 percent chance, compared with a 20 percent chance of a near-normal season and a 10 percent chance of a below-normal season. The agency’s outlook called for 15 to 22 named storms, nine to 14 hurricanes and five to nine major hurricanes.
"Right now, the only other area we are monitoring for potential development in the Pacific over the next week or so will be a cluster of showers and thunderstorms located well to the southeast of Hawaii between August 4 and 7," said Pydynowski. "There is a low risk of this area developing at this time. If a tropical system were to develop and then track westward, interests in Hawaii would need to monitor its progress during the second week of August for any potential impacts."
Eastern Pacific Hurricane Season Storm Names
The official list of 2026 eastern north Pacific storm names, as published by the NHC, is:
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Amanda
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Boris
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Cristina
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Douglas
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Elida
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Fausto
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Genevieve
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Hernán
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Iselle
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Julio
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Karina
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Lowell
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Marie
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Norbert
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Odalys
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Polo
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Rachel
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Simon
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Trudy
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Vance
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Winnie
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Xavier
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Yolanda
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Zeke
Contact Newsweek editors on this story: Matthew Robinson and Cristina Diciu.
Update, 7/31/26, 10:45 a.m. ET: this article was updated with comment from AccuWeather meteorologist Dan Pydynowski.
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