MEXICO CITY (AP) - The latest on storms in eastern Pacific off Mexico’s western coast (all times local):
4:05 p.m.
Tropical Storm John has strengthened into a hurricane in the Pacific off Mexico’s western coast, though forecasters say it poses no immediate threat to land.
Meanwhile, Tropical Storm Ileana is trailing behind John and had been expected to become a hurricane, too. But the U.S. National Hurricane Center says Ileana now is predicted to remain a tropical storm before dissipating by late Tuesday due to the influence of the larger John.
John was centered about 320 miles (145 kilometers) southwest of the Mexican port of Manzanillo late Monday afternoon, with maximum sustained winds of 75 mph (120 kph). It was moving west-northwest at 8 mph (13 kph).
Ileana was centered about 155 miles (245 kilometers) south-southeast of Manzanillo. It had maximum sustained winds of 65 mph (100 kph) and was heading northwest at 17 mph (28 kph).
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1:35 p.m.
Two new tropical storms are strengthening off Mexico and both are projected to reach hurricane force while marching northwestward parallel to the coast, bringing heavy surf.
The U.S. National Hurricane Center says Tropical Storm John is expected to strengthen rapidly and become a hurricane by Monday afternoon and a major hurricane by Tuesday. Tropical Storm Ileana also is growing while racing John up the coastline and is forecast to reach hurricane strength later Monday.
John was centered about 340 miles (545 kilometers) southwest of the Mexican port of Manzanillo early Monday afternoon, with maximum sustained winds of 70 mph (110 kph). It was moving west-northwest at 8 mph (13 kph).
Ileana was centered about 245 miles (395 kilometers) southeast of Manzanillo. It had maximum sustained winds of 65 mph (100 kph) and was heading northwest at 17 mph (28 kph). Ileana had a potential to brush Mexico’s southwestern shoulder as a hurricane along the coastal area near Manzanillo early Tuesday.
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