The Pacific's newest tropical depression formed off the southern coast of Mexico on Thursday, with forecasters warning that the cyclone system could become the thirteenth named storm of the eastern Pacific hurricane season.

As of Thursday, the cyclone was centered about 100 miles off the coast of Acapulco, according to the National Hurricane Center, and was producing maximum sustained winds near tropical storm strength.

The agency said gradual strengthening is possible, and the system is expected to be named Mario once winds reach at least 39 mph.

No tropical storm watches or warnings have been issued, but officials urged residents of southwestern Mexico to monitor the progress of the system as it tracks roughly parallel to the coastline.

Even without a direct landfall, heavy rainfall

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