Tropical Storm Otis could strike California Peninsula next week, forecasters report

Forecasters said Thursday that Tropical Storm Otis formed off of Mexico's Pacific coast could strike the central Baja California Peninsula early next week. The storm was about 410 kilometers (245 miles) southwest of Puerto Vallarta early Thursday and it was headed toward the west-northwest at about 10 kph (6 mph), according to the U.S. National Hurricane Center, the AP reports.

It had maximum sustained winds of about 65 kph (40 mph). Forecasters said the storm could grow to near hurricane status over the weekend.

The early, still-uncertain forecast track would carry the storm toward the Sierra Vizcaino spur off the west coast of the Baja California Peninsula. AM