Hurricane Ivor strengthens as it heads up the Mexico coast Tropical Storm Ivo was producing heavy rains and strong winds as it cruised off the southern Baja California peninsula of Mexico Saturday, forecasters said. The National Hurricane Center in Miami said in its 11 pm (Pacific Daylight Time) report that Ivo was about 180 miles southwest of Cabo San Lucas, Mexico, heading and heading to the north at 12 miles per hour.
Ivo had maximum sustained winds of 45 mph.
The center said there was a tropical storm warning in effect for the Pacific coast of the peninsula from Punta Abreojos southward to Cabo San Lucas, and along the Gulf of California coast of the peninsula from Loreto southward to Cabo San Lucas.
A tropical storm watch was in place for the peninsula north of Punta Abreojos to Punta Eugenia.
The storm was forecast to turn to the north-northwest Saturday, moving parallel to the peninsula\'s west coast for the next couple of days. Ivo could strengthen slightly during the next 12-18 hours, but then weaken after that.
Ivo covers a large area, with tropical storm force winds extending up to 175 miles from its center.
The storm is expected to produce 1-3 inches of rain in general, with up to 5 inches in some areas of the peninsula.
Life-threatening surf and rip conditions also are expected along the coast.
Source: UPI