New tropical storm brings rains to central Mexican coast

Newly formed Tropical Storm Tara soaked parts of west-central Mexico with heavy rains Monday as it drifted off the country's Pacific coast.

Forecasters said precipitation from the storm had the potential to cause dangerous flooding, though its center was likely to remain out to sea while remaining near the coast.

The U.S. National Hurricane Center said Tara was centered about 70 miles (115 kilometers) south of Manzanillo while heading to the northwest at 2 mph (4 kph). It strengthened somewhat over the course of the day and had maximum sustained winds of 50 mph (85 kph) in the afternoon.

A tropical storm watch was in effect from Punta San Telmo in Michoacan state to Cabo Corrientes, which juts into the Pacific south of Puerto Vallarta.

Tara was expected to bring 4 to 8 inches (10 to 20 centimeters) of rain to coastal regions in Michoacan, Colima and Jalisco states.