Tropical Storm in Pacific Strengthens Off Mexico

U.S. weather forecasters say tropical storm Patricia is strengthening as it approaches Mexico's Baja California Peninsula.

The Mexican government issued a tropical storm watch for the southern portion of the peninsula Monday.

The U.S. National Hurricane Center in Miami says Patricia is 425 kilometers south of Baja California's southern tip. Forecasters expect the storm's center to be very near the peninsula by Tuesday.

The storm has sustained winds of 75 kilometers per hour, with higher gusts, and is moving north-northwest at 13 kilometers per hour.

Some information for this report was provided by AFP and AP.