TS Lane forecast to become major hurricane in Pacific

MEXICO CITY – Tropical Storm Lane pushed westward across the eastern Pacific on Thursday, while Subtropical Storm Ernesto headed across the northern Atlantic in the general direction of Ireland and the United Kingdom.

The U.S. National Hurricane Center said Lane’s maximum sustained winds had increased to 70 mph (110 kph) and the storm was expected to become a major hurricane by the weekend. It was centred about 1,870 miles (3,010 kilometres) east-southeast of Hilo, Hawaii, and heading west at 13 mph (20 kph).

Ernesto had maximum sustained winds near 45 mph (75 kph). It was centred about 645 miles (1,035 kilometres) east-southeast of Canada’s Cape Race, Newfoundland, and moving northeast at 18 mph (30 kph). Forecasters said it was likely to merge with a frontal zone as it approached Ireland and the U.K. on Saturday.