Tropical Depression One-E formed early Thursday morning in the eastern Pacific, becoming the first tropical depression of the eastern Pacific season, which runs from May 15 to Nov. 30.
Only a few hours later the depression strengthened into a tropical storm, taking the name Andres as it continued to churn over the open Pacific ocean to the south of Mexico.
Andres is expected to continue strengthening into the weekend and could even become a Category 1 or 2 hurricane as it remains on warm ocean waters with light to moderate wind shear. Eventual weakening is expected by early next week as the storm moves over cooler waters to the southwest of Baja California.
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At this point, the storm is expected to stay well away from the Mexican coastline. However, by late this weekend or early next week, Andres will be generating high surf along the coast of Baja California and western Mexico. The storm could also produce dangerous rip currents in these areas.
Another tropical threat may take shape off the coast of southern Mexico early next week and could become the second tropical system of the season. This potential storm would have more direct impacts on Mexico as it would likely develop closer to the coastline and could bring some rain and wind to the southern coastline of Mexico.
Meteorologist Eric Leister contributed to this story.
