Hurricane Genevieve moves through the Pacific off Mexico, but no direct threat to land is forecast

MIAMI (AP) — Tropical Storm Genevieve strengthened into a hurricane Saturday in the Pacific Ocean southwest of Mexico. It was forecast to pick up even more steam and become a major hurricane in the coming days but stay well out to sea on a course roughly parallel to the shore.

Genevieve had maximum sustained winds of 80 mph (130 kph), making it a Category 1 hurricane, according to the National Hurricane Center in Miami. A major hurricane is Category 3 or higher.

Genevieve’s center was located about 500 miles (810 kilometers) south-southwest of Manzanillo, and it was headed west-northwest at 15 mph (24 kph).

No coastal watches or warnings were in effect, but the hurricane center said swells from the storm — likely causing “life-threatening surf and rip current conditions” — were affecting parts of Mexico’s southwestern coast on the weekend and would likely hit southern parts of the Baja California Peninsula on Sunday night or Monday.