MIAMI – Hurricane Dolores remains a major Category 3 storm in the Pacific but is expected to start weakening.

The storm’s maximum sustained winds early Thursday are near 115 mph (185 kph) but the U.S. National Hurricane Center says gradual weakening is expected to begin later in the day or Thursday night.

Dolores is centred about 255 miles (410 kilometres) south-southwest of Cabo San Lucas, Mexico, and is moving west-northwest near 7 mph (11 kph).

Swells generated by the hurricane are affecting parts of Mexico’s southwestern coast along with the southern coast of the Baja California peninsula. The swells could cause life-threatening surf and rip current conditions.