Hurricane Alma Nears Mexico

Hurricane Alma churned slowly toward Mexico’s southern Pacific coast on Sunday, spinning off winds of up to 100 mph and trailing heavy rain in its wake.

Forecasters issued hurricane warnings for 175 miles of coast between the resorts of Zihuatenejo and Manzanillo as the small but intense hurricane drifted north-northwest at 3 mph, lashing the shoreline with rain.

Forecasters initially expected Alma to hit land, but there was a growing possibility Sunday that it would skirt the coast.

Alma had been nearly stationary since it was upgraded to a hurricane Saturday, but started drifting northward overnight. Forecasters said they expected little change in the hurricane’s speed or strength on Sunday.