MIAMI — Hurricane Sandra is rapidly losing strength as it approaches Mexico’s Pacific coast.

The hurricane’s maximum sustained winds decreased early Friday to near 100 mph (160 kph), making it a Category 2 storm. The U.S. National Hurricane Center says Sandra is forecast to continue weakening and become a remnant low Saturday.

Sandra is centred about 255 miles (415 kilometres) south-southeast of the southern tip of Mexico’s Baja California peninsula and is moving north-northeast near 12 mph (19 kph).

A tropical storm watch is in effect for Baja California from Todos Santos to Los Barriles.