Mexico City: Tropical Storm Norbert strengthened well off Mexico's southern Pacific coast and threatened to become a hurricane in 24 hours, the US National Hurricane Centre said.

Norbert formed overnight and was centred 400 kilometres south of Zihuatanejo, a resort town north of Acapulco. It had winds of 95 kmph.

The storm could become a hurricane by today. But its northwestern path was taking it farther from land, said Jamie Rhome, a hurricane specialist with the Miami-based centre.

There were only sporadic rains in Guerrero state, home to Acapulco and Zihuatanejo, where local elections took place as planned.

Norbert was projected to pass southwest of the Baja California Peninsula on Friday, but Rhome said it was to early to tell whether it would head for land.

Tropical Storm Marie, meanwhile, lingered 1,405 kilometres southwest of the southern tip of Baja California, posing no threat to land.
Source : PTI