Hurricane Priscilla grows in Pacific as Tropical Storm Jerry forms in east

Hurricane Priscilla neared Category 3 status on Tuesday in the Pacific as a new tropical storm formed and then strengthened in the Atlantic, the U.S. National Hurricane Center said.
Priscilla was moving west-northwest at 9 mph (15 kph) just off the west coast of Mexico, with maximum sustained winds of around 110 mph (175 kph). It was centered Tuesday afternoon about 330 miles (525 kilometers) west of Cabo Corrientes, Mexico, and about 215 miles (345 kilometers) south-southwest of the southern tip of Baja California, forecasters said.
On Tuesday, outer bands of the hurricane were already extending across the Mexican state of Baja California Sur.
Meanwhile in the Atlantic Ocean, Tropical Storm Jerry formed Tuesday with maximum sustained winds rising to 50 mph (85 kph) by the afternoon. It was centered about 1,190 miles (1,920 kilometers) east-southeast of the northern Leeward Islands while traveling to the west at 23 mph (37 kph). Forecasters said Jerry is expected to strengthen into a hurricane in another day or two. A tropical storm watch was issued for Barbuda and Anguilla, St. Kitts and Nevis, and the Leeward Islands for late Thursday and Friday. Swells from Jerry were anticipated to reach the Leeward Islands on Thursday. Barthelemy and St. Martin and Sint Maarten. In the Pacific, Hurricane Priscilla prompted a tropical storm watch for Baja California Sur, covering Cabo San Lucas to Cabo San Lazaro. As a preventative measure, the government of Baja California Sur announced on Monday night that classes would be canceled at all educational facilities beginning on Tuesday in Los Cabos and La Paz. It also set up a dozen shelters in Los Cabos for people who live in vulnerable areas. Forecasters said that parts of southwestern Mexico could get up to 4 inches (10 centimeters) of rain from Priscilla through Wednesday, posing a risk of flash flooding in the states of Michoacán and Colima. The hurricane center stated that weakening of Priscilla was anticipated to begin on Wednesday. A major hurricane is defined as Category 3 or higher and wind speeds of at least 111 mph (180 kph).
Priscilla’s waves were reaching Mexico’s coast. Forecasters stated that dangerous rip currents and surf were likely. Tropical Storm Octave was weakening further out in the Pacific, about 780 miles (1,260 kilometers) southwest of Baja California’s southern tip. It was moving east-southeast at 8 mph (11 kph), with maximum sustained winds of 45 mph (75 kph).