Simon has strengthened into a powerful Category 4 hurricane as it barrels toward Mexico’s coast.
The National Hurricane Center in Miami said early Saturday Simon’s maximum sustained winds increased to 140 mph (225 kph). A storm of that strength or greater is considered a major hurricane. Simon could bring as much as 10 to 20 inches (25-50 cm) of rain over parts of southwestern Mexico, with some areas receiving up to 30 inches, the center said.
