Elida Weakens To Tropical Storm

MIAMI (AP) - Tropical Storm Fausto has neared hurricane strength early Friday in the Pacific, while Elida lost its hurricane status.

The National Hurricane Center in Miami says Fausto's maximum sustained winds are near 70 mph and the storm could become a hurricane later in the day. Fausto's center is about 425 miles south-southwest of Manzanillo, Mexico.

Farther out in the Pacific, Elida was downgraded to a tropical storm with winds at about 65 mph. Forecasters expect gradual weakening as Elida enters cooler waters over the next few days.

And in the open Atlantic, Tropical Storm Bertha's maximum sustained winds are holding steady at 60 mph. Bertha is moving northeast at 17 mph and is located about 825 miles south of Cape Race, Newfoundland.

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