UPDATE: 5 p.m.

Jova rapidly intensified today and was a category 5 hurricane as of 5 p.m., according to the National Hurricane Center in Miami.

Packing maximum sustained winds up to 160 mph, the storm was located about 535 miles south-southwest of the southern tip of Baja California.

Jova continues to move on a west-northwest track at nearly 15 mph and is expected to maintain this course over the next few days.

Officials anticipate Jova to weaken later Thursday and through the weekend.

Hurricane-force winds extend outward up to 30 miles from the storm’s center and tropical-storm-force winds extend outward up to 115 miles.

PREVIOUS COVERAGE

Jova reached hurricane strength Tuesday night in the East Pacific and continues to intensify today as it holds to a west-northwest track.

At around 5 a.m. Hawaii time Hurricane Jova was located about 600 miles south of the southern tip of Baja California packing maximum

sustained winds of 105 mph with higher gusts and moving west-northwest at 13 mph, according to the National Hurricane Center in Miami.

Weather officials expect Jova to continue on its current trajectory through late this week and continue strengthening over the next day or so, likely becoming a major hurricane tonight.

Hurricane-force winds extend outward up to 10 miles from Jova’s center and tropical-storm-force winds extend outward up to 90 miles.