Right now, if you’re looking at a map of the Pacific or checking the weather for your upcoming Baja trip, you're probably asking one question: is there a hurricane in Cabo San Lucas today? It's a fair concern. Cabo sits at the tip of the Baja California peninsula, a stunning but vulnerable finger of land that basically acts as a catcher's mitt for tropical storms spinning up from the warmer waters off the Mexican coast.
Weather happens fast here. One minute you’re sipping a margarita at Office on the Beach, and the next, the Port Captain is dragging the yellow flags up because the swell is getting rowdy.
Honestly, the "hurricane season" window is wider than most people think. It technically runs from May 15 to November 30. But if you're looking at the data from the National Hurricane Center (NHC) or Mexico’s Servicio Meteorológico Nacional, you’ll notice the real "danger zone" usually hits its peak between August and October. That’s when the water in the Sea of Cortez and the Pacific is warm enough—usually above 80°F—to turn a simple low-pressure system into a full-blown monster.
The Reality of Hurricane Cabo San Lucas Today
Let's be real about the current situation. As of today, the Pacific hurricane basin is being monitored closely by meteorologists at NOAA. While every year is different, the "today" status of Cabo usually falls into one of three buckets: clear skies, "watching a disturbance," or active recovery.
If there is an active storm, you'll see the Cid—the local port authority—shutting down boat traffic. This is the first sign of trouble. If the glass-bottom boats aren't heading to El Arco, you shouldn't be heading to the beach.
The geography of Los Cabos is weirdly protective but also risky. You have the Sierra de la Laguna mountains running down the spine of the peninsula. When a hurricane hits Cabo San Lucas, these mountains often "shred" the storm's circulation, weakening it quickly. But there's a catch. That same terrain causes massive runoff. Even a "weak" tropical storm can turn the arroyos (dry creek beds) into raging rivers in minutes. Seriously, never try to drive across a dry wash when it’s raining in Cabo. You’ll lose the car. People have died doing exactly that.
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Why We Get It Wrong About Baja Storms
Most travelers check their iPhone weather app, see a "rain" icon, and panic. Don't.
Rain in Cabo is actually pretty rare. When it does rain, it's usually because a tropical system is nearby. But "nearby" in Pacific terms could mean 300 miles offshore. These systems are massive. Even if the eye of the hurricane doesn't hit Land's End, the "dirty side" of the storm—the right-front quadrant—can whip up 15-foot swells and dump six inches of rain in a day.
I remember Hurricane Odile in 2014. That was the big one. It wasn't supposed to be a direct hit. Then, it shifted. It slammed into Cabo as a Category 3. It leveled the airport. It smashed the luxury resorts in the Corridor. Since then, the building codes in Cabo have become some of the strictest in Mexico. Most of the big resorts like the Waldorf Astoria Pedregal or the Esperanza are basically bunkers now. They have massive storm shutters and backup generators that can run for weeks.
How to Track a Hurricane Cabo San Lucas Today Like a Pro
Stop looking at generic news sites. They use "clickbait" headlines to scare you. If you want the truth about the weather in Cabo right now, use these specific sources:
- NHC (National Hurricane Center): This is the gold standard. Look at the "Eastern Pacific" 2-day and 7-day outlooks.
- Windy.com: Switch to the "Satellite" or "Wind" layer. You can literally see the rotation of the storms.
- Local Webcams: Sites like CaboVillas or Webcams de México have live feeds of Medano Beach. If the umbrellas are up and people are swimming, you're fine.
- The Port Captain’s Office: If they close the port, the "Blue Flag" beaches are closed too.
What Happens if a Storm Actually Hits?
If you find yourself in Cabo during an active hurricane warning, the vibe changes fast. The locals are pros at this. You’ll see shops boarding up with plywood and tape.
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- The Airport (SJD) will close. This is the biggest headache. Once winds hit a certain threshold, planes can't land. If you're on vacation and a storm is 48 hours away, honestly? Get out. It’s better to cut a trip short than to spend four days in a hotel ballroom with 400 strangers eating ham sandwiches.
- Power and Water. In a major storm, the power goes first. Even if the hotel has a generator, the internet usually dies. Cell towers in Baja are notoriously fickle during high winds.
- The Arroyos. I can't stress this enough. The road between Cabo San Lucas and San Jose del Cabo (the Corridor) can become impassable if the bridges get overwhelmed.
Is Travel Insurance Worth It?
People ask me this constantly. For Cabo in September? Yes. A thousand times yes.
But you have to read the fine print. Most policies won't cover you if you buy the insurance after a storm has been named. If "Tropical Storm Jose" is already on the map, it's too late. You need "Cancel for Any Reason" (CFAR) coverage if you want total peace of mind.
The Aftermath: The "Cabo Strong" Factor
The weirdest thing about a hurricane in Cabo San Lucas is how fast the desert turns green afterward. Usually, Baja looks like Mars—brown, dusty, and dry. Three days after a big rain, the hillsides explode into a vibrant, neon green. It’s beautiful.
The local economy relies entirely on tourism. After a storm, the cleanup happens at lightning speed. When Odile hit, the community rallied in a way that was honestly inspiring. They had the airport open in weeks, not months.
Essential Checklist for Today’s Weather Status
If you are looking at the forecast and seeing a spinning red icon in the Pacific, here is what you do. First, check the "Cone of Uncertainty." The center of the storm can be anywhere in that cone. If Cabo is on the edge, you'll likely just get some wind and great surfing conditions (for experts only).
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Check your flight status directly with the airline, not a third-party site. Alaska, American, and United are usually pretty proactive about waiving change fees if a hurricane is imminent.
Don't forget the "Sea of Cortez effect." Sometimes a storm will stay out in the Pacific, but it pushes a massive "storm surge" into the bay. This makes Medano Beach—usually the only swimmable beach in Cabo—extremely dangerous. The riptides here are no joke. If the red flags are out, stay out of the water. Period.
Practical Steps for Your Trip
- Download "Windy" and "NHC Data" apps before you leave.
- Keep $200-$300 in cash (Pesos and USD). If the power goes out, credit card machines don't work.
- Buy a portable power bank. If you’re stuck in a room, you’ll want your phone for news updates.
- Register with your embassy. If you're American, use the STEP program. It takes five minutes and helps the State Department find you if things go sideways.
- Stock up on water. Even if the hotel says they have plenty, grab a couple of extra liters from an OXXO.
The reality of a hurricane in Cabo San Lucas today is usually less about survival and more about logistics. It’s about missed flights, wet shoes, and canceled boat tours. But being prepared means you won't be the person crying at the check-in desk because you didn't see the storm coming. Keep an eye on the Pacific, respect the ocean, and listen to the locals. They know these waters better than any algorithm ever will.
Monitor the National Hurricane Center's Eastern Pacific updates every six hours for the most accurate track projections. If a "Hurricane Watch" is issued, confirm your hotel’s emergency protocols and check for flight "travel alerts" on your carrier’s mobile app immediately to see if you can rebook for an earlier departure. If you are already on the ground and a "Warning" is issued, move to an inland shelter or a certified hurricane-safe resort and avoid all coastal roads until the Port Captain officially reopens the harbor.