Priscilla strengthens into a hurricane in the Pacific. Maps show its path.

Priscilla turned into a hurricane on Sunday in the Pacific Ocean, and it is expected to continue strengthening into next week.

The storm system formed Saturday off the west coast of Mexico, where it was forecast to bring dangerous surf and possible flooding, the National Hurricane Center said. Priscilla moved over Pacific waters on a path expected to run parallel to the land.

Tropical storm watches are in effect for a vast stretch of the Mexican coastline from the southwestern state of Jalisco up to the Baja California peninsula.

Hurricane Priscilla's track and forecast

On its forecast track, Priscilla's center was expected to remain offshore of the southwestern Mexican coast and travel parallel to the land through the early part of the week, the hurricane center said.

NOAA/National