Tropical Storm Karina strengthens in Pacific, could become major hurricane

Tropical Storm Karina was strengthening southwest of Mexico’s Baja California peninsula on Saturday and was expected to become a hurricane later in the day, with forecasters warning it could reach major hurricane strength, defined as a Category 3 storm or stronger early next week.

The National Hurricane Center said Karina was moving over the eastern Pacific and remained well southwest of the southern tip of the Baja California peninsula. The storm was expected to continue strengthening as it moved westward over warm waters.

The storm was also expected to generate swells that could affect parts of the coast of southwestern Mexico and the Baja California peninsula during the weekend.

Karina’s threat wasn’t directly on land as of the latest advice and there were no coastal warnings in place. Forecasters were closely watching its track and strength as it moves through the Pacific.

The National Hurricane Center and Central Pacific Hurricane Center were issuing advisories for Karina and another tropical system, Tropical Storm Lowell, in the eastern Pacific.

Residents and mariners in affected areas were advised to monitor official forecasts as conditions could change.