Tropical Storm Simon forms in the Pacific Ocean off the southwestern coast of Mexico

MIAMI (AP) — Tropical Storm Simon formed Wednesday in the Pacific Ocean off the southwestern coast of Mexico, the National Hurricane Center said.

The center of the cyclone was located about 175 miles (285 kilometers) south-southeast of Lazaro Cardenas, Mexico, and it was forecast to approach the coastline on Saturday.

Simon was expected to bring heavy rainfall that could cause life-threatening flooding to parts of southwestern Mexico, with portions of the area forecast to get 8 to 12 inches (20 to 30 centimeters) of rain through Sunday, according to an advisory from the Miami-based hurricane center. Isolated totals up to 15 to 25 inches (38 to 63 centimeters) of rain were possible in parts of Colima and Michoacan.

The storm’s maximum sustained winds were around 40 mph (65 kph), and it was expected to strengthen into a hurricane by late Thursday and potentially into a major hurricane by Saturday, the hurricane center said.