Puerto Vallarta, Jalisco, Sept. 17, 2026 — Puerto Vallarta can expect a hot, partly cloudy day with a chance of thunderstorms later Thursday and waves reaching 1 to 2 meters along the Jalisco coast.
At 5:43 a.m., the Puerto Vallarta airport weather station reported clear skies and a temperature of 27 C, or 81 F. Humidity was about 74%, producing a heat index near 29 C, or 84 F. Winds were from the east at approximately 9 km/h, or 6 mph.
The morning should remain mostly dry. Rain becomes more likely from midafternoon through the evening, with the local chance estimated near 40%. Forecast timing and storm coverage can change during the day.
Afternoon Heat and Humidity
The municipal forecast from Mexico’s National Meteorological Service places the afternoon high near 34 C, or 93 F. Some guidance allows temperatures to reach 35 C, or 95 F, in hotter parts of the city.
Humidity could push the afternoon heat index into the 36-to-39 C range, or roughly 97-to-102 F. The hottest period is expected between noon and 4 p.m.
Rain Risk Builds Later
Clouds are expected to increase after midday, with isolated showers or thunderstorms possible from about 2 p.m. into the evening.
The SMN forecast issued at 6 a.m. calls for scattered rainfall of 5 to 25 millimeters, or 0.2 to 1 inch, across parts of Jalisco. Thunderstorms may contain lightning and brief gusty winds, but the statewide forecast does not mean every Puerto Vallarta neighborhood will receive rain.
Widespread flooding is not forecast. A slow-moving downpour could still leave standing water on low-lying streets, near drainage channels and at underpasses. Drivers should avoid entering flooded lanes.
Higher Surf Along the Coast
The SMN expects waves of 1 to 2 meters, or about 3 to 7 feet, along the Jalisco coast. Conditions may vary within Banderas Bay, especially near exposed beaches and river mouths.
Beachgoers should follow the flag posted at each beach and instructions from lifeguards. Boat operators should confirm port conditions before departing because marine restrictions can change during the day.
City-specific guidance keeps sustained winds relatively light, although the regional forecast allows isolated gusts of 40 to 60 km/h, or 25 to 37 mph, in Jalisco. The strongest gusts would be more likely near thunderstorms.
A Distant Tropical Disturbance
The National Hurricane Center’s Eastern Pacific outlook was monitoring a tropical wave several hundred miles south of southwestern Mexico Thursday morning.
Development was considered unlikely during the next 48 hours, although the system had an 80% chance of becoming a tropical depression within seven days as it moved northwest and later turned northward offshore. No immediate tropical cyclone warning was in effect for Puerto Vallarta in the morning outlook.
Best Window for Outdoor Plans
The morning offers the best window for errands, exercise, and outdoor work. Plan for strong heat around midday and keep afternoon beach or outdoor plans flexible after 2 p.m.
Anyone spending the day outside should carry water, use shade during the hottest hours, and keep rain protection nearby. Conditions can change quickly if a thunderstorm develops over the mountains or the bay.
