Tropical Storm Carlotta strengthens in the Pacific

MIAMI (AP) -- Tropical Storm Carlotta has strengthened somewhat in the Pacific south of Mexico and is expected to become a hurricane.

Carlotta's maximum sustained winds rose Thursday to 50 mph. The U.S. National Hurricane Center in Miami says further strengthening is forecast and Carlotta is expected to become a hurricane by the time it reaches Mexico's southern coast Friday.

A hurricane watch is in effect for Mexico's Pacific coast from Barra de Tonala to Punta Maldonado.

The tropical storm was centered at 8 p.m. EDT Thursday about 275 miles south-southeast of Puerto Angel, Mexico, and about 490 miles southeast of Acapulco, Mexico. It is moving north-northwest near 10 mph.

Tropical storm-force winds extend outward up to 45 miles from the storm's center.

(Copyright 2012 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)