Paul becomes major hurricane in Pacific off Mexico

MIAMI (AP) - Hurricane Paul has become a major Category 3 hurricane in the Pacific off Mexico and a hurricane warning has been issued for a swath of Baja California's western coast.

The U.S. National Hurricane Center says Paul's maximum sustained winds have increased to 120 mph (195 kph) as of 5 p.m. EDT Monday.  Paul is centered about 415 miles (670 kilometers) southwest of the tip of the Baja California peninsula and moving north-northeast at 13 mph (20 kph).

Meanwhile, forecasters say Tropical Storm Rafael could reach hurricane strength in the Atlantic on Monday night or Tuesday.

Rafael's maximum sustained winds are near 70 mph (110 kph). It's centered about 570 miles (915 kilometers) south of Bermuda, where a tropical storm warning is in effect. It's moving northward at 10 mph (17 kph).