Hurricane Erick has rapidly intensified as it approaches Mexico's southwestern Pacific coastline, with meteorologists warning it could develop into a major hurricane before making landfall on June 19.

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.

Erick strengthened into a Category 1 hurricane off Mexico's Pacific Coast and may intensify into a major hurricane before its landfall, the U.S. National Hurricane Center said on Wednesday. Erick is expected to be the first hurricane to make landfall in Mexico this season,