MEXICO CITY >> Hurricane Eugene was gradually weakening today off Mexico’s Pacific Coast, but forecasters said it could bring high surf and rip currents to Southern California and the west coast of Baja California.

A day after strengthening to a major Category 3 storm, the hurricane’s maximum sustained winds had decreased to near 85 mph this morning and the U.S. National Hurricane Center said additional weakening is expected as Eugene moves over cooler waters.

But the hurricane center said swells generated by the hurricane are affecting parts of Mexico’s Baja California Peninsula and those swells will spread to parts of Southern California. Those swells could cause life-threatening surf and rip current conditions.

The storm was centered about 555 miles west-southwest of the tip of the peninsula.