The first eastern Pacific hurricane of the 2012 season – named Bud – has formed off the southwestern coast of Mexico.
The US National Hurricane Centre said the storm is packing sustained winds of 75mph (120kph) and is located in the Pacific Ocean about 385 miles (620km) southwest of Manzanillo, Mexico.
It is moving to the north at a speed of six miles (9km) per hour and is expected to reach the Mexican coast by late Friday local time.
The Miami-based hurricane centre predicted "life-threatening surf and rip current conditions" to form along southern and southwestern coastal areas.
Mexico's government issued a tropical storm watch yesterday along the coast from Punta San Telmo westward to La Fortuna.
The hurricane centre said there was no immediate threat from the category one hurricane and predicted that when it hits land it would weaken slightly.