Hurricane Hilary rages but Ophelia weakens

Forecasters said Hurricane Hilary has strengthened into a small, but powerful Category Four storm in the Pacific.

Hilary’s maximum sustained winds were near 135mph. The hurricane is not forecast to make landfall, though officials say it is expected to rake Mexico’s coast with wind, rain and heavy surf.

The US National Hurricane Centre said a tropical storm warning is in effect for Mexico’s coast from Lagunas de Chacahua to Punta San Telmo.

A tropical storm watch is in effect for west of Punta San Telmo to Manzanillo.

Hilary is centred about 85 miles south west of Acapulco, Mexico, and is moving west-north west.

In the Atlantic, Tropical Storm Ophelia is weakening.