MIAMI — ********* Sandra has strengthened to a Category 2 storm as it swirls off Mexico’s Pacific coast.

The U.S. National ********* Center says it’s the strongest ********* in the eastern Pacific for this late in the year.

Forecasters also say it’s expected to strengthen even more in the next 24 hours, and could become a major ********* later in the day or on Thursday.

The *********’s maximum sustained winds increased early Wednesday to near 100 mph (161 kph).

Sandra is centred about 560 miles (901 kilometres) southwest of Manzanillo, Mexico, and is moving west-northwest near 10 mph (16 kph).

It’s expected to turn toward the northwest later Wednesday, followed by a northward turn on Thursday.

Forecasters say it currently does not pose a ****** to land.