MIAMI — Tropical Storm Erick continues to swirl off the Mexican coast, and forecasters expect it to become a hurricane.

The U.S. National Hurricane Center in Miami says that as of Saturday morning, Erick is centered about 120 miles (195 kilometers) south-southeast of Manzanillo and about 540 miles (865 kilometers) southeast of the southern tip of Baja California. It is moving northwest at 8 mph (13 kph) and has maximum sustained winds of 70 mph (110 kph).

A hurricane watch is in effect for Punta San Telmo to Cabo Corrientes. A tropical storm warning is in effect for Zihuatanejo to Cabo Corrientes.

Forecasters predict a northwest to west-northwest track over the next few days but say the storm should remain offshore. They say Erick is likely to become a hurricane sometime Saturday.