PACIFIC OCEAN — Hurricane Fausto strengthened into a Category 2 storm in the Pacific Ocean on July 24, 2026. Forecasters said the system is expected to approach the Hawaiian Islands next week.

The National Hurricane Center in Miami stated that the risk of some impacts from wind and rainfall in the area is increasing. The agency noted it is too soon to determine the exact location or potential magnitude of impacts from the hurricane.

As of July 24, 2026, Hurricane Fausto had maximum sustained winds of around 100 mph (161 kph). The storm was located about 1,300 miles (2,090 kilometers) west of the southern tip of the Baja California peninsula of Mexico. It was also positioned approximately 1,600 miles (2,575 kilometers) east of Hilo, Hawaii.

The National Hurricane Center said swells generated by Hurricane Fausto could cause life-threatening surf and rip tides in parts of southern California. The National Weather Service issued a coastal watch for parts of southern California due to these swells. This marked the first such watch issued for the region this season.

The Hawaiian Islands have a historical average of one tropical cyclone making landfall every 10 years, according to the National Weather Service. The archipelago has historically experienced impacts from tropical cyclones, with the most recent direct hit being Hurricane Iniki in 1992. That storm caused significant damage to Kauai.

The National Hurricane Center has a historical record of forecasting hurricane tracks, with an average error of about 50 nautical miles for 5-day forecasts, according to a 2021 report. In the 2025 Pacific hurricane season, there were 23 named storms, with 12 reaching hurricane status, according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. In 2024, the Pacific Ocean experienced a below-average hurricane season, with 18 named storms, of which 7 reached hurricane status, according to the National Hurricane Center. The Pacific Ocean saw 24 named tropical cyclones in 2023, with 10 of them reaching hurricane status.