Hurricane Erick is expected to strengthen rapidly into a major Category 3 storm, before making landfall on Mexico's Pacific coast on Thursday, Mexico's civil protection agency has said.
The storm, already a Category 2 hurricane, is likely to bring "potentially destructive winds and life-threatening flash floods" to parts of southern Mexico, according to the US National Hurricane Center.
Maximum sustained winds in the storm had risen to 175km/h (110mph) by Wednesday afternoon local time, with conditions favourable for it to intensify.
Mexico President Claudia Sheinbaum told people in the storm's path to "stay tuned to official communications, to stay indoors, and not go out".
Category 3 storms and above are considered major hurricanes, and pack wind speeds of at least 180km/h (111mph).
