Tropical Storm Odile drifting off southern Mexico

This NOAA satellite image taken Thursday, Sept. 11, 2014 at 11:00 AM EDT shows two tropical systems southwest of the Baja Peninsula. Tropical Storm Odile and Tropical Depression 16-E will likely bring heavy rains to the southwestern coastal Mexico and the Baja Peninsula. The majority of the western United States is under high pressure and mostly sunny skies. An area of low pressure moves from the northern Rocky Mountains brings a mix of rain and snow.(AP PHOTO/WEATHER UNDERGROUND) This NOAA satellite image taken Thursday, Sept. 11, 2014 at 11:00 AM EDT shows two tropical systems southwest of the Baja Peninsula. Tropical Storm Odile and Tropical Depression 16-E will likely bring heavy rains to the southwestern coastal Mexico and the Baja Peninsula. The majority of the western United States is under high pressure and mostly sunny skies. An area of low pressure moves from the northern Rocky Mountains brings a mix of rain and snow.(AP PHOTO/WEATHER UNDERGROUND)

By Associated Press September 12, 2014 2 min read

MEXICO CITY (AP) – Tropical Storm Odile was drifting off Mexico’s southern Pacific coast early Friday, keeping out to sea but expected to gain strength over the coming day and possibly become a hurricane.

The U.S. National Hurricane center said Odile had maximum sustained winds near 60 mph (95 kph). Its center was about 245 miles (390 kilometers) south of Manzanillo and was drifting west near 2 mph (4 kph).

The center said the storm could become a hurricane by Friday night and then take a more northwesterly track, but it was predicted to remain well offshore through at least Saturday.

A tropical storm watch was in effect from Manzanillo north to Cabo Corrientes, and dangerous surf and riptides were forecast for that area within a day or so.

Tropical Storm Edouard formed in the far eastern Atlantic on Thursday but was expected to remain out to sea.