Hurricane Paul Forms: Northward Path Predicted as Storm Watch Is Issued

Hurricane Paul has strengthened significantly in the Pacific region just off the coast of Mexico, leading to a tropical storm watch being issued for a part of Baja California.

The U.S. National Hurricane Center has confirmed that it has recorded Hurricane Paul's maximum sustained winds at 80 mph (130 kph) early on Monday morning.

It is expected to continue to strengthen throughout Monday before likely weakening slightly on Tuesday, according to the National Hurricane Center.

The center of Hurricane Paul is about 530 miles (850 km) southwest of the tip of the Baja California peninsula, and it is moving northwards at a speed of about 9 mph (15 kph), according to the Associated Press.

Elsewhere, new reports are also confirming that Tropical Storm Rafael will most likely reach hurricane strength in the Atlantic later on Monday.

Currently the tropical storm has a maximum sustained stregnth of about 70 mph (110 kph), and is centered about 290 miles (460 km) north of San Juan, Puerto Rico.

Tropical Storm Rafael is moving in a north-northwest direction at a speed of about 10 mph (17 kph), according to latest estimates.