MIAMI (AP) — Hurricane Simon has rapidly strengthened in Pacific waters hundreds of miles off the tip of Mexico’s Baja California Peninsula.
The U.S. National Hurricane Center in Miami says Simon’s maximum sustained winds reached at 110 mph (175 kph) on Saturday. Forecasters say Simon is expected to become a major hurricane in coming hours and then begin to weaken Sunday.
The center says the hurricane is centered about 310 miles (500 kilometers) southwest of the southern tip of the Baja peninsula and is moving west-northwest at 13 mph (20 kph). There are no coastal watches or warnings in effect.
Simon is expected to produce 2 to 4 inches or more of rainfall in southwestern Mexico and swells generated by the hurricane could cause life-threatening surf and rip current conditions.
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