Hurricane Kristy strengthens into a Category 4 storm in the Pacific Ocean

MEXICO CITY (AP) — Forecasters say Hurricane Kristy has strengthened into a Category 4 storm and is expected to remain away from land as it churns in the Pacific Ocean. The major hurricane on Wednesday was 710 miles south-southwest of the southern tip of the Baja California peninsula of Mexico. It was moving west at 20 mph. The Miami-based National Hurricane Center says Kristy has maximum sustained winds of 155 mph, just shy of Category 5 status. The center says waves generated by Kristy will affect portions of the west coast of the Baja California peninsula late this week. The waves are likely to cause life-threatening surf and rip current conditions.