As of Thursday, October 15, the eastern Pacific's 2026 accumulated cyclone energy total reached 331, surpassing the previous full-season record of 318 set in 2018, according to Yale Climate Connections, citing Colorado State University figures.

In a typical year, based on 1991-2020 data, the basin generates only about two more named storms, including one major hurricane, from October 15 onward.

AOL/FOX Weather reports the season officially passed 2018 with over 319 ACE units, so two outlets give slightly different figures for the same milestone — but both agree 2026 is the most energetic season on record. With Trudy still churning and conditions far from typical, the total can only climb.

So far in 2026, the eastern Pacific has amassed 22 named storms, 12 hurricanes, and nine major hurricanes — including a record-tying three Category 5 storms, Yale Climate Connections reports.

The all-time records are 27 named storms (set in 1997), 16 hurricanes (in 1990, 2024, 1992, and 2015), and 11 major hurricanes (in 2015).

The Weather Network notes Trudy is the tenth hurricane to form in the Eastern Pacific this year, and the first time since 2018 that the basin has seen ten major hurricanes.

The Atlantic, by contrast, has returned to what Yale calls a deep El Niño slumber after Hurricane Isaias struck the Florida Panhandle.

Trudy's intensity has been a forecast rollercoaster.

It rapidly intensified to Category 3 early Friday, but the National Hurricane Center later said satellite wind data showed it was weaker than indicated, and the Associated Press reports it was downgraded to Category 1 with 90 mph winds Friday night.

Yahoo News/Reuters reported it briefly weakened Friday to 85 mph winds before possible re-strengthening.

Hurricane warnings are in effect from Manzanillo to Cabo Corrientes, with the center expected to approach the southwestern and west-central Mexican coast Saturday and pass near the coast Saturday night into Sunday.

USA Today reports the NHC expects Trudy to remain a major hurricane at closest approach before weakening later in the weekend.

Through the weekend, Trudy is expected to produce 4 to 8 inches of rain, with isolated totals near 15 inches, along the southwestern Mexican coast in Michoacán, Colima and Jalisco, a range the NHC, USA Today and the Associated Press all report — though The Weather Network says forecast totals have been reduced to 100-150 mm as the storm tracks farther offshore.

Life-threatening flooding and mudslides are the chief concern, and Colima officials warn damaging effects are likelier because the ground is already saturated from successive storms.

Tropical Storm Simon's rains killed two and forced 5,000 evacuations in Mexico, and last week Tropical Storm Rachel damaged some 1,500 homes on the Baja California peninsula, Reuters and Yale Climate Connections report.

In the western Pacific, Tropical Storm Champi — the third typhoon threat to Guam and the U.S. Northern Marianas in 2026 — is forecast to pass over or very near Guam Sunday as the equivalent of a Category 2 typhoon with 105 mph winds, per the Joint Typhoon Warning Center advisory cited by Yale Climate Connections.

Typhoon warnings cover Guam and Rota, with tropical storm warnings for Tinian and Saipan, the AP reports. A direct Guam landfall is rare because of the island's small size.

FOX Weather reports the Google DeepMind model gives Champi a 99% chance of becoming a super typhoon, and Yale says conditions — 29-30°C water, falling shear, deep moisture — should push it to at least Category 4 strength by Monday. The Philippines, Taiwan and Japan should watch later forecasts.

Both storms should weaken after the weekend — Trudy as it interacts with Mexico's coastal terrain and increasing shear, Simon already dissipating near southern Baja California on Friday with 40 mph winds, per the Associated Press.

But the season's record energy means vigilance remains warranted: Yale notes a typical October 15-to-season-end only adds two named storms, and this year is anything but typical amid a rapidly strengthening El Niño.

Andersen Air Force Base on Guam declared Tropical Cyclone Condition of Readiness 2, FOX Weather reports, meaning tropical-storm-force winds were expected within 24 hours. Mexico's civil protection agency asked residents to secure doors and windows and remove objects that strong winds could throw.