Hurricane Miriam hits Category 3 status

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MIAMI, Sept. 24 (UPI) -- Hurricane Miriam became a Category 3 storm Monday as it churned in the Pacific Ocean several hundred miles off the Mexican coast, U.S. forecasters said.

Miriam had sustained winds of 120 mph as it roared about 405 miles southwest of the southern tip of Baja California, Mexico, moving on a northwest track at 9 mph, the National Hurricane Center in Miami said in its 5 p.m. EDT advisory.

The hurricane center said Miriam was expected to slow down, lose power and gradually turn to the north Wednesday.

Hurricane-force winds were extending out up to 30 miles from its center, with tropical storm-force winds reaching out up to 125 miles.

Winds gusting to 43 mph were reported at Clarion Island.

No watches or warnings were in place, but dangerous surf and swells were forecast for the south and west coasts of the southern Baja Peninsula during the next couple of days.