Hurricane Barbara grows into major storm over open Pacific

Major Hurricane Barbara is rapidly gaining strength as it pushes west-northwest over the Pacific Ocean.

The U.S. National Hurricane Center says the storm now has maximum sustained winds of 130 mph (215 kph), with higher gusts. That enters the range of a Category 4 hurricane.

The storm was centered about 1,060 miles (1,705 kilometers) southwest of the southern tip of the Baja California Peninsula on Tuesday and it was advancing at 15 mph (24 kph).

The hurricane center forecasts look for the storm to strengthen further, but then weaken starting Wednesday.