Tropical Storm Dora strengthens off Mexico’s Pacific coast

MEXICO CITY – Tropical Storm Dora was strengthening quickly off Mexico’s Pacific coast and forecasters said it could become a hurricane on Monday, bringing heavy rains without making a direct hit on land.

Dora was centered about 180 miles south of Manzanillo, Mexico, and was moving toward the west-northwest at 14 mph, according to the U.S. National Hurricane Center.

The storm had maximum sustained winds of 70 mph and forecasters said it could reach hurricane force while moving roughly parallel to the coast and then curving toward the west.

The hurricane center said that Dora is expected to bring 1 to 3 inches of rain to coastal areas of Guerrero and Michoacan states through Monday.