NHC: Jova could become hurricane over Pacific

[October 08, 2011]  MIAMI (AP) -- Forecasters say Tropical Storm Jova is expected to become a hurricane in the next day or so over the eastern Pacific Ocean.

Earlier Friday, Irwin strengthened to become the eighth hurricane of the eastern Pacific season.

Late Friday afternoon, both storms remained far from land off the coast of Mexico.

Irwin was moving west-northwest at about 6 mph (10 kph), but models show the storm could take a turn back toward the east and land. Jova was moving northwest at about 8 mph (13 kph). Models show it also could take a turn toward the northeast and make landfall sometime next week over Mexico.

In the Atlantic, Philippe was downgraded to a tropical storm from a hurricane. It was far off the U.S. coast and not expected to threaten land.

[Associated Press]

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