Hurricane Jova path tracker: Where is the tropical storm heading?
HURRICANE Jova has rapidly developed into a menacing category 5 hurricane in the last few days.
The Pacific hurricane is sending huge swells to southern California and beyond - let's take a look at its projected path.
Where is Hurricane Jova headed?
Hurricane Jova is set to move northwest off the western coast of the United States in the coming days.
While the storm isn't expected to make landfall like Hurricane Hilary, the weather front will send big waves towards surf spots in California.
Parts of California may see low level flooding, along south facing beaches.
Hawaii may also see some waves sent to its shores, though the storm is expected to lose power and weaken by Monday, September 11.
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When did Hurricane Jova start?
Beginning on September 6, Hurricane Jova began gaining power off the coast of Mexico, south of Baja.
It already has sustained winds of nearly 160mph as the warm water fuels the storm.
Category 5 hurricanes are a rarity in the Pacific Ocean, with most strong storms forming in the Atlantic.
Jova is already 250 miles across, with strong sustained winds.
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In just 18 hours, the hurricane went from a Category 1 storm into a Category 5 - a transformation forecasters have called "remarkable".
What category is Hurricane Jova?
Hurricane Jova is already a Category 5 hurricane, just days after forming.
Category 5 hurricanes are classified as a storm where "catastrophic damage" will occur.
Since 1960, 28 Category 5 hurricanes have formed in the Atlantic - they're even more rare in the Pacific, with only 19 having formed in the last fifty years.
Warm ocean temperatures in the Pacific are thought to be behind the rapidly progressing storm.
The storm is strong, but only moving around 15mph through the open ocean waters.
Southern California could see swells of up to 8ft waves early next week as the storm moves past, according to Surfline.
Parts of Mexico could even see 16ft waves - good news for surfers.
For now, the largest threat from Jova lies with those with marine interests who may encounter massive waves and winds.