MEXICO CITY - THE first tropical depression of the Pacific hurricane season has formed off the coast of Mexico.
The National Hurricane Centre in Miami said the tropical depression was centred about 645 kilometres south-southwest of the Mexican city of Mazatlan around midday.
Maximum sustained winds are near 45 kmh. Forecasters say it could strengthen to a tropical storm before nearing the Mexican coast by Friday night or Saturday.
The depression was moving toward the north at about 14 kmh and was expected to turn gradually north-northeast late on Friday.
Mexican authorities have issued a tropical storm watch for the Pacific coast from Topolobampo south to El Roblito and for the Islas Marias. -- AP
