Hurricane Sandra now a Cat. 4 storm

Hurricane Sandra has strengthened to a powerful Category 4 storm in the eastern Pacific off Mexico's coast.

The hurricane's maximum sustained winds increased early Thursday to near 230 kph. The U.S. National Hurricane Center says no significant change in strength is expected but weakening should begin Friday.

Sandra is centered about 810 kilometers southwest of Cabo Corrientes, Mexico, and is moving north near 19 kph.