Hurricane Sandra strengthens to a Category 4 storm

Hurricane Sandra has strengthened to a powerful Category 4 storm in the eastern Pacific off Mexico's coast.

The hurricane's maximum sustained winds Thursday morning are near 130 mph (215 kph). The U.S. National Hurricane Center says rapid weakening is expected during the next two days and Sandra is forecast to become a remnant low on Saturday.

Sandra is centered about 495 miles (800 kilometers) south of the southern tip of Mexico's Baja California peninsula and is moving north near 12 mph (19 kph).