Season's 1st tropical depression forms in Pacific

MEXICO CITY (AP) - The first tropical depression of the Pacific hurricane season has formed off the coast of Mexico.

The National Hurricane Center in Miami said the depression was centered about 275 miles (435 kilometers) south-southwest of the coastal city of Mazatlan on Thursday night.

Maximum sustained winds are near 35 mph (55 kph). Forecasters say the depression could strengthen to a tropical storm with wind speeds of 39 mph or more, before it nears the Mexican coast by Saturday.

The depression was moving toward the north-northeast at about 11 mph (18 kph).

Mexican authorities issued a tropical storm warning for the Islas Marias, a group of islands housing a prison facility about 87 miles (140 kilometers) off the Pacific coast, as well as a tropical storm watch for the Pacific coast from Topolobampo south to El Roblito.