Hurricane Raymond bears down on Mexico's west coast

(UPI) -- A storm system off the western coast of Mexico rapidly strengthened overnight, transforming from a tropical storm to Category 3 Hurricane Raymond in the early hours of Monday morning.

Raymond slowed and then stalled about 120 miles west-southwest of Acapulco, the same region of Mexican coast that was lashed last month by Hurricane Manuel, which killed at least 84 people and left thousands stranded.

As 8 a.m. ET, Hurricane Raymond had maximum sustained winds of 120 miles per hour, and is expected to hit the coastal state of Guerrero Tuesday, bringing with it heavy rains and flooding, meteorologists at the National Water Commission (Conagua) said.

Hurricane warnings have been issued from Tecpan de Galeana to Lazaro Cardenas, and a watch is in place from Acapulco to Tecpan de Galeana.