Tropical storm Sergio forms off Mexican Pacific

MEXICO CITY, Nov 15 (Reuters) Tropical storm Sergio formed in the Pacific Ocean off Mexico and weather forecasters warned it could become a major hurricane in the next three days.

Sergio was approximately 600 km south of the tourist town of Manzanillo and expected to move slowly northward, although it has so far not been forecast to make landfall.

Predictions are divided on whether Sergio will reach hurricane strength or remain a tropical storm.

The Miami-based National Hurricane Center said yesterday that one forecast ''makes Sergio a major hurricane in three days.

On the other hand...[other guidance] is more conservative.'' Mexico's Pacific coast has been blitzed with hurricanes and storms this year, whereas its Caribbean and Gulf of Mexico coasts have seen little activity.

In October, Hurricane Paul killed two people in northwestern Mexico. In September, Hurricane Lane cost three lives along the Pacific coast and Hurricane John killed at least three people on the Baja California peninsula.

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