MEXICO CITY — Tropical Storm Lidia bore down on the Los Cabos resorts at the tip of Baja California Peninsula Thursday, while spreading rains over a broad swath of Mexico.

Mexican authorities warned residents of the lower Baja to prepare for high winds, heavy rain and a dangerous storm surge.

Heavy rain also was reported falling on southwestern Mexico and the U.S. National Hurricane Center said Lidia could produce total accumulations of as much as 8 to 12 inches (20 to 30 centimetres) across much of Baja California Sur state and western Jalisco state on the mainland, threatening flash floods and landslides.

Lidia had maximum sustained winds of 45 mph (75 kph) Thursday morning and some strengthening was possible before landfall. Its centre was about 90 miles (145 kilometres) south-southeast of Cabo San Lucas and it was heading north-northwest at 8 mph (13 kph).

Far out over the Atlantic, meanwhile, Tropical Storm Irma was approaching hurricane force along a course that could bring it near the eastern Caribbean Sea by early next week.

Irma’s centre was about 590 miles (950 kilometres) west of the Cape Verde Islands. Maximum sustained winds were near 70 mph (110 kph) with higher gusts. It was heading west at 12 mph (19 kph), and no coastal watches or warnings were in effect.