UPDATE 1 -- Adrian becomes hurricane in Pacific off Mexico, watch in effect

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UPDATE 1 -- Adrian becomes hurricane in Pacific off Mexico, watch in effect

2011-06-09 07:29:46 GMT+7 (ICT)

MIAMI (BNO NEWS) -- Tropical Storm Adrian strengthened into a category one hurricane off Mexico's Pacific coast on Wednesday afternoon, forecasters said, making it the first hurricane of the season. A tropical storm watch has been issued as a precaution.

Forecasters at the U.S. National Hurricane Center (NHC) have been following the weather system since last week. It eventually developed into a tropical depression on Tuesday morning before strengthening into a tropical storm on Tuesday evening. It became a hurricane nearly 24 hours later.

As of 5 p.m. PDT (0000 GMT Thursday), the center of Adrian was located about 265 miles (425 kilometers) southwest of Acapulco, a major sea port on the Pacific Coast of Mexico. It is moving toward the northwest at a speed of 9 miles (15 kilometers) per hour, but a gradual turn toward the west-northwest is expected over the next couple of days.

Adrian's maximum sustained winds have increased to near 75 miles (120 kilometers) per hour, with higher gusts, making it a category one hurricane on the five-step Saffir-Simpson scale of intensity. The storm is expected to strengthen further, possibly into a category two hurricane.

"Although the intensification process has slowed today, additional strengthening is expected as Adrian remains in a favorable environment," said NHC senior hurricane specialist Michael Brennan. "Steady, or even rapid intensification, is likely over the next 36 to 48 hours as Adrian remains over waters of 29 - 30 Celsius (84.2 - 86 Fahrenheit) and in a low wind shear environment."

But while the center of Adrian is expected to remain well offshore the coast of Mexico, a tropical storm watch has been issued as a precuation for the coast of Mexico from Acapulco westward to Punta San Telmo. "Any deviation to the right of the forecast track could bring tropical storm conditions to the coast within the watch area tomorrow and Friday," said NHC hurricane specialist Todd Kimberlain.

As of Wednesday afternoon, hurricane force winds extend outward up to 25 miles (40 kilometers) from the center of Adrian. Tropical storm force winds extend outward up to 85 miles (140 kilometers) from the center, currently not affecting land.

Kimberlain cautioned that swells generated by Adrian will begin to affect a portion of the southwestern coast of Mexico on Wednesday evening. "These swells could cause life-threatening surf and rip currents," he said.

According to figures released in May, NOAA's Climate Prediction Center is expecting a below normal hurricane season in the Eastern Pacific this year. The outlook calls for 9 to 15 named storms, with five to eight becoming hurricanes and one to three expected to become a major hurricane (category 3 or higher).

An average Eastern Pacific hurricane season produces 15 to 16 named storms, with eight to nine becoming hurricanes and four becoming major hurricanes. The Eastern Pacific hurricane season runs from May 15 through November 30, with peak activity from July through September.

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