Tropical Storm Lorenzo becomes a hurricane

MIAMI, Florida (CNN) -- Tropical Storm Lorenzo has become a hurricane, the National Hurricane Center reported Thursday evening.

The storm, speeding along at 75 mph (125 km) at 8 p.m. ET, was expected to come ashore in Mexico early Friday.

Additional strengthening is possible before it hits land, forecasters said.

At 8 p.m., Lorenzo was southeast of Tuxpan, Mexico, the Hurricane Center said.

The storm was moving west at near 6 mph (9 km/h) and was expected to continue that pace.

A hurricane warning was in effect for the Mexican Gulf coast from Palma Sola to Cabo Rojo, the Hurricane Center said, meaning winds of at least 74 mph were expected within the warning area within the next 24 hours.

A tropical storm warning, meaning tropical storm conditions are expected within 24 hours, was in effect for an area south of Palma Sola to Veracruz.

A tropical storm watch, meaning tropical storm conditions are possible within 36 hours, was issued for an area north of Cabo Rojo to La Cruz.

Five to 10 inches of rain is expected in Veracruz, with maximum isolated amounts of up to 15 inches, forecasters said.

Storm surge flooding of 2 to 4 feet above normal tide levels, along with large and dangerous waves, is predicted near and to the north of where the center of the storm crosses the coast.

Meanwhile, Tropical Storm Karen, churning in the Atlantic, was losing organization and weakening, the Hurricane Center said. As of 5 p.m. ET, Karen's center was about 845 miles (1,360 km) east of the Windward Islands.

It was moving west-northwest at near 13 mph (21 k/hr). Karen's maximum sustained winds were near 66 mph (105 km/h), but it was expected to weaken further over the next 24 hours, forecasters said. E-mail to a friend

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