MIAMI – Tropical Storm Priscilla formed in the Pacific Ocean off the coast of Mexico on Saturday.

The National Hurricane Center in Miami reported that Priscilla was a “large tropical storm,” with winds at tropical storm strength reaching up to 140 miles (220 kilometers) from its center.

The storm’s maximum sustained winds were noted at 45 mph (75 kph). Positioned around 285 miles (460 kilometers) to the south-southwest of Manzanillo, it was moving northwest at a speed of 7 mph (11 kph).

A tropical storm watch was announced for a section of Mexico’s southwestern coast, spanning from Punta San Telmo to Punta Mita, with the possibility of tropical storm conditions in the area on Sunday and Monday.

Priscilla was forecast to reach hurricane status Sunday and generally move parallel to the coast in the coming days.

Meanwhile, another tropical storm, Octave, situated off the coast of Mexico in the Pacific, was drifting aimlessly far from land. There are no predictions for landfall and no coastal alerts have been issued for this system.

Its maximum sustained winds strengthened slightly to 65 mph (100 kph).