Hurricane Frank intensifies to Category 1 away from the Mexican coastline

Hurricane Frank is about 970 kilometers southwest of the southern tip of the Baja California peninsula.

Hurricane Frank intensifies to Category 1 away from the Mexican coastline
Hurricane Frank, category 1 on the Saffir-Simpson scale, has been weakening gradually and will not generate effects in the country. Image: Conagua

The newly formed Hurricane Frank was rapidly gaining strength Saturday off Mexico's Pacific coast becoming a Category 1, though far from a threat to land.

The Miami-based U.S. National Hurricane Center (NHC) reported that Frank reached hurricane strength on Friday night and by Saturday afternoon had maximum sustained winds of 150 km/h (93 mph).

Its vortex was about 970 kilometers southwest of the southern tip of the Baja California peninsula and it was heading northwest at 19 km/h (12 mph). The NHC said Frank could reach major hurricane strength, but would then likely weaken rapidly over cooler waters.

Meanwhile, Tropical Storm Georgette was much further offshore, with maximum sustained winds of around 85 km/h. Forecasters said to expect it to gradually weaken over the next few days.