World

Hurricane Paul is strengthening in the Pacific off Mexico and a tropical storm watch has been issued for a portion of Baja California.

The U.S. National Hurricane Center says Paul's maximum sustained winds were 130 km/h early Monday. Some additional strengthening is forecast during the day before weakening is expected Tuesday.

It's centred about 850 kilometres southwest of the tip of the Baja California peninsula and moving north at 15 km/h.

Meanwhile, Tropical Storm Rafael is expected to reach hurricane strength in the Atlantic later in the day.

The storm is centred about 465 kilometres north of San Juan, Puerto Rico, and is moving north-northwest near 17 km/h.