Twin Tropical Storms Form In The Pacific: Will Julio & Iselle Affect Your Cabo Vacation?

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If you are packing your bags and heading down to Los Cabos this week for a late-summer getaway, you might want to double-check your weather app and throw a light rain jacket into your carry-on.

The heart of the Pacific storm season is officially here. Just as thousands of American tourists are touching down on the Baja peninsula for the final stretch of summer vacation, Mexico’s National Meteorological Service (SMN) has confirmed the simultaneous formation of two cyclonic systems off the coast.

As of Tuesday morning, August 25, Tropical Storm Julio officially developed from a low-pressure system, joining Tropical Storm Iselle to create a twin-storm system churning in the Pacific Ocean southwest of Cabo San Lucas.

If you have a flight booked or are currently sitting by a resort pool in Cabo, seeing back-to-back named storms on the weather radar can instantly induce panic. But before you frantically call your airline to rebook your trip, here is exactly what these twin storms mean for your vacation and what you can actually expect when you step outside.

The Good News: No Direct Landfall

The most important piece of information you need right now is that you are not in the direct path of a hurricane.

According to the latest tracking data from the SMN, both storms are steering well clear of the Mexican coastline.

Tropical Storm Julio is currently located a massive 1,310 kilometers (over 800 miles) southwest of Cabo San Lucas. It is packing maximum sustained winds of 75 km/h (46 mph) and is steadily moving away from the peninsula toward the north-northeast.

Its twin, Tropical Storm Iselle, is situated roughly 1,060 kilometers (650 miles) west-southwest of Cabo. Iselle is slightly stronger, carrying sustained winds of 110 km/h (68 mph), but it is also tracking offshore toward the northwest, pushing further out into the open Pacific.

Because both of these systems are positioned so far offshore and are actively moving away from land, local authorities have confirmed that neither Julio nor Iselle poses a direct threat to Los Cabos. The luxury resort corridors, the marina, and the downtown areas are completely safe from any severe cyclonic impact.

What You Will Actually Experience in Cabo

Just because the storms aren’t making landfall doesn’t mean you won’t feel their presence. When massive cyclonic systems churn hundreds of miles offshore, they act like giant atmospheric engines that push kinetic energy and moisture toward the coast.

If you are in Los Cabos this week, here is how the twin storms will alter your daily vacation plans:

• Elevated Ocean Swells: This is the most critical factor for tourists. Even though the sky might be sunny, the offshore storms are pushing heavy groundswells toward the Baja coastline. You can expect waves reaching up to two meters (over 6 feet) along the western coast of the peninsula. If you are staying at a Pacific-facing resort, do not attempt to swim in the ocean. The undertows and rip currents will be incredibly violent and unpredictable. Pay strict attention to the colored warning flags on the beach, and stick to the resort pools.
• A Spike in Humidity: The storms are dragging massive amounts of tropical moisture into the region. While Cabo is traditionally a dry desert environment, expect the air this week to feel exceptionally thick, heavy, and humid.
• Localized Wind Gusts & Passing Showers: While you aren’t going to experience a day-ruining monsoon, the outer atmospheric bands of these systems can generate sudden, localized wind gusts and brief, intense rain showers—particularly in the late afternoon.

The Bottom Line for Travelers

There is absolutely no need to cancel your trip or panic about a direct hit from Julio or Iselle. Your five-star resort is highly secure, and you will still get plenty of pool time.

However, you do need to be a smart traveler. The Pacific Ocean is currently highly volatile. If you had plans to rent a jet ski or book a sunset catamaran cruise to the Arch this week, check with your tour operator, as the Port Captaincy may temporarily restrict small boat access if the swells become too dangerous.

Enjoy the incredible ocean views from the safety of the sand, keep an umbrella handy for the occasional afternoon shower, and let the twin storms pass quietly out at sea.