Packing winds of 225 kilometers (140 miles) per hour, the storm's leading rainbands were already making themselves felt in Colima, Jalisco and Nayarit states, the weather service said at 1300 GMT. The hurricane was moving to the northwest at 15 kilometers (nine miles) per hour.

Civil defense authorities urged Mexicans to follow the news for up-to-date alerts and urged extra caution for boaters.

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