Hurricane Priscilla has intensified into a Category 2 storm off the west coast of Mexico and is expected to continue strengthening, the Miami-based National Hurricane Center said Tuesday.

Priscilla could become a Category 3 storm by day's end, which would make it a major hurricane with minimum sustained winds of 111 mph, according to the hurricane center. The storm's winds have already reached 110 mph, the center said.

Priscilla's outer bands were spreading over Baja California Sur. Forecasters anticipate that the storm will bring heavy rains and gusty winds to sections of the peninsula later Tuesday into Wednesday, with a tropical storm watch in effect from Cabo San Lucas to Cabo San Lazaro, Mexico.

Hurricane Priscilla is seen off west coast of Mexico at 4:50 p.m. Eastern Time on Oct.

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