Hurricane Erick — the fifth-named storm of the Eastern Pacific hurricane season — is intensifying as it continues on a path toward Mexico. The National Hurricane Center said Wednesday night that Erick had strengthened into a major hurricane as it approaches southern Mexico on Thursday.

Hurricane Erick has intensified into a Category 3 major hurricane. Forecasters at the Miami-based National Hurricane Center say Erick has maximum sustained winds of 120 mph Wednesday evening after hours of rapid intensification.