MIAMI (AP) — A hurricane warning was issued Tuesday for a portion of southern Mexico as Tropical Storm Erick gained strength in the Pacific Ocean, forecasters said.

Erick, now a tropical storm, is forecast to become a powerful hurricane before making landfall southeast of Acapulco on Thursday, bringing strong winds and heavy rain.

Tropical Storm Erick has formed south of Mexico in the Pacific Ocean. This is the 5th storm in the Eastern Pacific this season and will likely be the first to make landfall. The Acapulco region will get some heavy downpours and gusty winds from the system later this week.