BajaStorms

BajaStorms Blog

Original reporting and practical context about Baja California Sur’s storms, weather, coast, climate, environment, and history.

Large ocean swells break along a rocky coastline beneath clouds lit by the setting sun.

October 26, 2026

Mar de Fondo: How Distant Storms Send Waves to Mexico’s Pacific Coast

Clear skies and light winds can hide a powerful ocean swell. Learn how distant storms create mar de fondo and why the same waves affect nearby beaches differently.

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Hurricane Odile over Baja California Sur in September 2014.

September 11, 2026

How a Hurricane Works: Inside the Engine of a Tropical Cyclone

A hurricane is a remarkably efficient atmospheric circulation system that moves heat from the warm tropical ocean into the upper atmosphere.

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Dark tropical storm clouds over a Baja California Sur desert community and mountain range.

August 30, 2026

Why Can the Same Hurricane Hit Nearby Baja Communities So Differently?

Nearby Baja California Sur communities can experience dramatically different hurricane rainfall and flood risk. Juliette, Lidia, Hilary, and Norma show why local geography and forecasts matter.

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Infographic showing 32 tropical cyclone landfalls in Baja California Sur from 1970 through 2009, including 18 in September and eight during September 1–10.

August 15, 2026

Why September Is BCS's Hurricane Month

More than half of BCS tropical-cyclone landfalls in a 1970–2009 CICESE analysis occurred in September. Ocean warmth, storm tracks, and rainfall history explain why the month stands apart.

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An empty 1970s drafting room with hurricane-resistant house plans, damage photographs, steaming coffee, and car keys as rain falls beyond the window.

August 9, 2026

The Hurricane Scale That Was Built for Buildings

The Saffir-Simpson scale began with a United Nations housing study, gained urgency after Hurricane Camille, and became public despite concerns it would be misunderstood.

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Goats graze beside fresh water and new vegetation in the Sierra de la Giganta after seasonal rain.

July 24, 2026

When No Hurricane Is the Disaster

After Hurricane Kay damaged rural communities, nearly every rancher surveyed still viewed it positively. Their answers point to a quieter threat facing Baja California Sur.

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Rain falls offshore beyond a rough Baja coast while runoff flows through a desert arroyo toward the sea.

July 24, 2026

A Hurricane Can Miss Baja and Still Matter

A storm’s center can stay offshore while rain, flooding, rough surf, and dangerous travel conditions reach Baja California Sur. Hurricane Lorena showed why distance alone never tells the full story.

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