Hurricane Paul off Baja California coast

MIAMI, Oct. 15 (UPI) —

Hurricane Paul moved about in the Pacific Monday and a tropical storm watch was posted for portions of Baja California, U.S. forecasters said.

The Mexican government issued the watch for the west coast of Baja California from Santa Fe north to Puerto San Andresito.

Paul was about 565 miles southwest of the southern tip of Baja California, the National Hurricane Center in Miami said in its 5 a.m. EDT advisory.

Paul, a Category 1 hurricane with maximum sustained winds of 75 mph, was moving north at 7 mph and could be near the west coast of the Baja Peninsula Tuesday, forecasters said.

The storm was expected to maintain its general heading and increase its forward speed — strengthening Monday, then weakening Tuesday, forecasters said.

Hurricane-force winds extended outward up to 25 miles from the storm’s center and tropical storm-force winds extended outward 90 miles.

Swells generated by Paul were expected to begin affecting the southern and central coasts of Baja California Monday night.