Bud weakens to a tropical storm off Mexico's coast

By the CNN Wire Staff

May 26, 2012 -- Updated 0138 GMT (0938 HKT)

Hurricane Bud moving toward Mexico

STORY HIGHLIGHTS

• NEW: Bud is downgraded from a hurricane to a tropical storm
• NEW: A hurricane warning and watch have been discontinued
• NEW: Maximum sustained winds slow to 70 mph, the National Hurricane Center says
• Bud is the second named storm of the East Pacific hurricane season

Miami (CNN) -- Hurricane Bud weakened to a tropical storm as it approached Mexico's southwestern coast on Friday, the National Hurricane Center said.

The storm, with maximum sustained winds of 70 mph, could drench the Mexican states of Jalisco, Colima, Michoacan, Guerrero and Guanajuanto, the Mexican state news agency Notimex reported.

"Continued weakening is expected during the next 48 hours," the National Hurricane Center said in its 8 p.m. ET advisory.

Earlier in the day, the storm weakened to a Category 1 hurricane.

Bud, the second named tropical storm of the East Pacific hurricane season, was about 80 miles (about 130 km) west-northwest of Manzanillo and 65 miles (about 105 km) south-southeast of Cabo Corrientes, the hurricane center said in its 8 p.m. ET advisory.

It was moving north at about 7 mph.

A tropical storm warning has been issued for Manzanillo northwest to Cabo Corrientes, while a tropical storm watch is out for the coast north of Cabo Corrientes to San Blas, according to the hurricane center.

A hurricane warning and watch, issued previously, have been discontinued.

Bud is expected to bring between 6-10 inches of rain along Mexico's southwestern coast, with isolated amounts of 15 inches possible in spots, the center said.

"These rainfall amounts could produce life-threatening flash floods and mudslides," according to the U.S. weather agency.

Swells generated by Bud were already affecting areas on Mexico's southern and southwestern coasts.

They "are likely to cause life-threatening surf and rip current conditions," the hurricane center said.

Are you in the path? Share your story on CNN iReport, but stay safe.

CNN's Mari Ramos, Rob Marciano, Ed Payne, Scott Thompson and Sean Morris contributed to this report.

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