Major Hurricane Genevieve was intensifying in the Pacific Ocean on Monday evening, reaching Category 5 strength briefly, while the weakening Tropical Storm Fausto continued to bring large surf to Hawaii.
Genevieve, located hundreds of miles southwest of the Baja California peninsula, had maximum sustained winds of 145 mph. It was moving northwest at 12 mph. While no coastal watches or warnings were in effect, swells from the storm were affecting parts of Mexico's southwestern coast and the Baja California peninsula, with the potential for life-threatening surf and rip current conditions.
The hurricane was expected to remain far out at sea, moving on a path roughly parallel to the Mexican coast. Forecasters anticipate Genevieve may fluctuate in intensity before weakening later in the week.
Meanwhile, Tropical Storm Fausto, which had previously been a hurricane, weakened significantly as it moved northwest in the Pacific. Fausto's center was located about 415 miles east-northeast of Hilo, Hawaii, with maximum sustained winds of 70 mph. The storm was traveling west-northwest at 16 mph.
Although Fausto is projected to pass north of the Hawaiian Islands, residents were advised to monitor its progress for potential impacts. Large surf and strong currents were increasing on east-facing shores across Hawaii's islands due to Fausto's proximity.