NOAA (National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration satellite image shows Tropical Storm Frank (lower-L) advancing Sunday toward Mexico. Tropical Storm Frank advanced Sunday toward Mexico's southwestern coast as authorities warned that the Pacific storm could reach hurricane status by late Monday.
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Packing winds of up to 60 miles an hour (95 kilometers) and higher gusts, Frank moved westward off the southern coast of Mexico, about 130 miles (205 kilometers) from the coastal town of Puerto Angel in Oaxaca at 2100 GMT.
It was not expected to reach the United States.
"The government of Mexico has extended the tropical storm warning westward from Punta Maldonado to Acapulco," the Miami-based US National Hurricane Center said.
The warning means tropical storm conditions were expected in the area within 36 hours.
The NHC said the Mexican government also has issued a tropical storm watch -- advising of possible tropical storm conditions within 48 hours -- for the coast from Acapulco westward to Tecpan de Galeana.
Some additional strengthening was expected in the next 48 hours, with hurricane punch anticipated by late Monday, the NHC said.
Frank was expected to move parallel to the coast of southern Mexico through Tuesday, dumping total rain accumulation of three to six inches (seven to 15 centimeters), the NHC added.
"These rainfall amounts may produce life-threatening flash floods and mudslides," it said.
Source: AFP
