Tropical Storm Barbara Strengthens

Friday, June 1st 2007, 12:09 pm

By: News On 6

MEXICO CITY (AP) _ The second named storm of the eastern Pacific hurricane season grew back to tropical storm force on Friday and it was expected to hit the coast of Mexico or Guatemala over the weekend.

A tropical storm watch was in force from Sipacate, Guatemala, to Barra de Tonala, Mexico, and the U.S. Hurricane Center in Miami warned that Tropical Storm Barbara could unleash heavy rains, life-threatening flooding and mudslides.

With maximum winds of 45 mph, the storm was centered about 185 miles southwest of the Guatemala-Mexico border and was slowly moving east at 5 mph. It was forecast to turn north as early as Friday night and hit land in Guatemala or Mexico within 36 hours, the hurricane center said.

Barbara had weakened to a tropical depression late Thursday.

The first tropical storm of the eastern Pacific's 2007 season, Alvin, faded at sea Thursday.

The eastern Pacific hurricane season opened May 15.