Tropical Storm Paul strengthens in east Pacific

• Storm is well southwest of Mexico's Baja California peninsula
• National Hurricane Center says Paul is expected to become a hurricane Monday
• No coastal watches or warnings are in effect

MIAMI (AP) — Tropical Storm Paul is lumbering across the eastern Pacific, well southwest of Mexico's Baja California peninsula.

The U.S. National Hurricane Center in Miami reported at 5 a.m. EDT Sunday that Paul is 665 miles south-southwest of the southern tip of Mexico's Baja California.

The storm has top sustained winds of 50 mph, up from 40 mph several hours earlier. Forecasters say the tropical storm recently began slowing down and was moving west at 9 mph.

The Miami center says Paul is expected to become a hurricane sometime Monday.

No coastal watches or warnings are in effect.

The storm is expected to turn to the northwest during coming hours and then toward the north with an increase in forward speed by Monday.