Acapulco:Hurricane Vance has strengthened to a Category 1 storm on the Saffir-Simpson scale in the Pacific Ocean, off the coast of Mexico, as reported by the country's National Water Commission (Conagua) on Friday.

According to Anadolu Agency – English, the hurricane was positioned 710 kilometers south-southwest of Acapulco in Guerrero state and 930 kilometers south-southeast of Manzanillo in Colima state. The announcement of the hurricane's intensification was made via a post on the US social media platform X.

Vance is currently exhibiting maximum sustained winds of 140 kilometers per hour and is progressing northwest at approximately 9 kilometers per hour. Forecasts suggest that the storm is expected to intensify rapidly within the next 24 hours, potentially reaching major hurricane status by Friday night. The US National Hurricane Center (NHC) has noted that the environmental conditions are conducive to further strengthening, although factors such as cooler ocean waters and increased wind shear may later limit the storm's intensity.

As of now, there are no coastal watches or warnings in effect. However, the NHC has cautioned that Vance could produce swells along southern and southwestern Mexico starting this weekend. Hurricanes typically bring with them strong winds, heavy rainfall, high waves, and coastal flooding, depending on their path and intensity.

Conagua continues to monitor tropical systems in the region and provides regular updates on their status. Residents in areas that could be affected are advised to stay informed through official weather bulletins and to adhere to civil protection guidance.