Hurricane Norma has strengthened as it churned toward the southern tip of Mexico's Baja California peninsula, threatening heavy rainfall beginning on Saturday at the area's popular tourist resorts.
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After weakening slightly earlier in the day, the US National Hurricane Centre (NHC) said Norma was again at Category 3 strength, packing maximum sustained winds of 193km/h as it headed north.
Norma is located some 314km south of Cabo San Lucas, a popular resort city known for its golden sand beaches, night life and whale watching. The "major hurricane," according to air force hurricane hunters, is advancing to the north at a speed of 13km/h, the NHC said.
"It's a very strong storm," state Governor Victor Manuel Castro told reporters at a press conference, describing it as "erratic."
Castro called on all bars, clubs and other businesses to close on Friday evening, and for people to stay indoors. He added that public transport will close to allow local hotel workers to get home.
Shelters have been set up with a total capacity for 10,000 people, he added.
The NHC warned of dangerous winds, heavy rainfall and possible flooding across southern Baja California through Saturday. It forecast tropical storm conditions could extend as far as Sinaloa state on Mexico's mainland Pacific coast once Norma makes an expected turn to the west on Sunday.
Between 12-25cm of rain is expected, and up to 38cm in the hardest-hit areas around southern Baja through Sunday and then across parts of Sinaloa by Monday, according to the NHC.
The NHC warned of likely flooding and possible mudslides.
"Life comes first, we don't want any surprises," added Castro.
"Everything indicates this hurricane will come early morning, attacking like a bandit in the night."
Australian Associated Press
