May 17, 2019 Update: According to Conagua, the 2019 Hurricane Season forecast for the Mexican Pacific includes 19 storms: 8 Tropical Storms; 5 Category 1 or 2 hurricanes; and 6 more that could reach Category 3, 4, or 5 on the Saffir-Simpson scale. On the Atlantic side, 14 storms are forecast for the 2019 season - which officially begins on June 1st. Six of them will be Tropical Storms; five Category 1 or 2 hurricanes; and three at Category 3, 4, or 5.

Puerto Vallarta, Jalisco, Mexico - The 2019 Mexican Pacific hurricane season begins today, Wednesday, May 15, and up to 24 cyclones are forecast for this year, according to Christian Dominguez, a researcher at the National Autonomous University of Mexico (UNAM) Center for Atmospheric Sciences.

According to the UNAM researcher, more hurricanes (between 13-14) could affect the Pacific Coast than the Atlantic (less than 12) due to the "El Niño" weather phenomenon, which raises sea temperatures and causes the atmospheric circulation to change.

The 2019 Atlantic hurricane season officially begins on June 1, and is expected to be "below average, meaning there will be fewer cyclones than usual, but they are expected to be categories 1, 2 or 3 on the Saffir-Simpson scale," he said.

On the other hand, some of the tropical cyclones on the Mexican Pacific could reach categories 4 and 5, and Baja California Sur and Sinaloa can expect a very active hurricane season, according to the specialist's estimates.

The 2019 hurricane season will end in both zones on November 30.

Though tropical cyclones usually pass Puerto Vallarta without incident, hurricanes can, and have reached, or affected, the Banderas Bay area. Being prepared is always a good idea, and NOW is a good time to develop a natural disaster plan with your family.

Everyone should know where the safest place in the house is, a specific meeting place in the event you get separated, and an out-of-state contact person to help coordinate if needed. You should also decide where you will go if instructed to evacuate, what you will bring with you, and how to secure your home in your absence. Disaster plans should include provisions for your pets, too.

Every household should also have a disaster kit. It doesn't have to be huge, but at minimum, your kit ought to include:

• A Basic First-Aid Kit. You should also keep a list of any prescription medicines handy so you don't forget to include them in the kit in case you need to refill them.

• Potable Water: A gallon per day per person for a few days is a good rule of thumb.

• Food: Non-perishable items that don't require cooking. Remember things like can openers, paper plates, cups, plastic knives, trash bags, etc...

• Flashlights/Candles: Remember to pack extra batteries and matches!

• Blankets and Extra Clothes: You need extras of everything just in case someone needs something dry to put on or it gets really chilly.

• No-Wash Hand Sanitizer/Baby or Cleansing wipes, and whatever else you think your family might not be able to do without for a few days.

Spend some time keeping your family safe by developing a strategy for safety in the unlikely event of a hurricane. Then you can get back to the business of enjoying your time in Puerto Vallarta.