Priscilla nears major hurricane status in Pacific as new tropical storm swirls in the Atlantic

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.

MIAMI — 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.

Just off the west coast of Mexico, Priscilla was spinning with maximum sustained winds around 105 mph and moving northwest at 9 mph. It was centered Tuesday night about 375 miles west of Cabo Corrientes, Mexico, and about 190 miles 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 by the afternoon. It was centered about 1,030 miles east-southeast of the northern Leeward Islands while traveling to the west at 23 mph.

Forecasters said Jerry is expected to strengthen into a hurricane in another day or two. Swells from Jerry were expected Thursday to reach the Leeward Islands with the core of the storm moving near or north of the northern Leeward Islands late Thursday and Friday.