MIAMI >> Forecasters say Tropical Storm Erick, the fifth named storm of the season, is intensifying off the coast of Mexico.

Erick was centered 145 miles south of Zihuatanejo this morning. Its maxiumum sustained winds had reached 50 mph and it was moving west-northwest at about 13 mph.

The National Hurricane Center said Erick could be near hurricane strength Saturday, but the center of the storm should remain offshore.

A tropical storm warning is in effect on the southwestern Mexican coast from Lazaro Cardenas to Manzanillo. A watch is in effect for Acapulco to east of Lazaro Cardenas and from west of Manzanillo to La Fortuna.

Meanwhile, Tropical Storm Dalila, which had been a hurricane earlier in the week, weakened to a tropical depression in the eastern Pacific Thursday night.

It’s too early to say if the new storm or what’s left of Dalila will have any effect on Hawaii’s weather.

What’s left of former Hurricane Cosme has moved northeast of Hawaii. The storm is sending some small waves to northeast shores and has slowed the usual cooling trade winds. Winds are expected to be light through the weekend until stronger trade winds return early next week.