Erick, now a tropical storm, is forecast to become a hurricane before making landfall southeast of Acapulco on Thursday, bringing strong winds and heavy rain.

A hurricane warning was issued Tuesday for a portion of southern Mexico as Tropical Storm Erick gained strength in the Pacific Ocean, forecasters said. The National Hurricane Center said Erick was expected to rapidly intensify and become a hurricane by late Tuesday or early Wednesday.

Tropical Storm Erick formed early Tuesday near southern Mexico and is expected to become a hurricane by Wednesday.