Gil picks up power but likely to weaken

Hurricane Gil strengthened Thursday but is expected to be a tropical storm once again when it crosses into the Central Pacific next week.

Gil had sustained winds of 85 mph Thursday and was about 1,230 miles west-southwest of Baja California. Earlier in the day Gil had 80 mph sustained winds.

Hurricane-force winds extend 25 miles from the center, and tropical storm-force winds extend 60 miles from the eye of the storm.

The storm could become stronger in the next 36 hours while it moves over warmer ocean waters, but should begin to weaken as it approaches cooler waters.

The five-day forecast now calls for Gil to weaken to a tropical storm Sunday and remain at tropical storm strength through Tuesday.

The storm is still too far away to determine whether it will have an effect on Hawaii’s weather.

Behind Gil, another storm system could develop into a tropical cyclone over the next 48 hours, according to the National Hurricane Center. However, forecasters say its proximity to Hurricane Gil is disrupting its development.

Forecasters say it has a medium chance, about 40 percent, of becoming a tropical cyclone over the next 48 hours and a 50 percent chance of becoming a tropical cyclone over the next five days.