Rachel becomes hurricane off Mexico's Pacific coast, but forecast to stay far out at sea

MEXICO CITY – Tropical Storm Rachel strengthened into a hurricane Saturday and was forecast to begin meandering in the Pacific off Mexico's coast while posing no threat to land.

The storm's maximum sustained winds were around 85 mph (140 kph) Saturday night. It was centered about 455 miles (735 kilometers) west-southwest of the southern tip of the Baja California peninsula and moving north-northwest at 7 mph (11 kph).

The U.S. National Hurricane Center in Miami said some additional strengthening might occur overnight but weakening was likely to begin Sunday and the storm was likely to have little forward movement into Monday.