MIAMI (AP) – A new tropical storm has emerged in the eastern Pacific Ocean, situated over a thousand miles off the coast of Mexico. Currently, there is no immediate threat to any land areas due to its considerable distance.

Tropical Storm Kiko developed early on a Sunday morning and is forecasted to intensify into a hurricane later this week, according to reports from the U.S. National Hurricane Center based in Miami. At this stage, the hurricane center has not issued any coastal watches or warnings, indicating that the storm poses no direct risks to coastal communities at this time.

The hurricane center has outlined expectations for strengthening over the coming days, indicating that Kiko is projected to become a hurricane by Tuesday. The storm’s current center is positioned approximately 1,045 miles (1,680 kilometers) west-southwest of the southern tip of Baja California, which is one of the major coastal regions of Mexico.

As of the latest updates, Tropical Storm Kiko has recorded maximum sustained winds of 40 mph (65 kph). The storm is moving at a pace of 9 mph (15 kph). For reference, tropical storms are classified by wind speeds ranging from 39 mph (about 63 kph) to 73 mph (about 117 kph). A storm transitions into a hurricane when wind speeds exceed 74 mph (about 119 kph), marking a significant increase in intensity and potential threat.

Weather experts closely monitor these systems as they develop, particularly in the Pacific region, where tropical storms can rapidly change in strength and direction. The Hurricane Center will continue to provide updates on Kiko’s trajectory and intensity as it evolves over the next few days.

In summary, while Tropical Storm Kiko is currently not threatening land, its anticipated strengthening into a hurricane warrants attention from both residents in potentially affected areas and monitoring agencies that track and predict tropical storm behavior in the Pacific Ocean.