Tropical Storm Lorenzo becomes a hurricane*

    * Story Highlights
    * The forecast path shows Lorenzo hitting Mexico Friday
    * Hurricane at 8 p.m. ET has maximum 75 mph winds, forecasters say
    * At 8 p.m. ET, Lorenzo is east-southeast of Tuxpan
    * Tropical storm warning issued for portion of Mexico's Gulf Coast

MIAMI, Florida (CNN) -- Tropical Storm Lorenzo has become a hurricane,
the National Hurricane Center reported Thursday evening.

The 7:15 p.m. ET sattelite image of Tropical Storm Lorenzo.

The storm, speeding along at 75 mph (125 km) at 8 p.m. ET, was expected
to come ashore in Mexico early Friday.

Additional strengthening is possible before it hits land, forecasters said.

At 8 p.m., Lorenzo was southeast of Tuxpan, Mexico, the Hurricane Center
said.

The storm was moving west at near 6 mph (9 km/h) and was expected to
continue that pace.

A hurricane warning was in effect for the Mexican Gulf coast from Palma
Sola to Cabo Rojo, the Hurricane Center said, meaning winds of at least
74 mph were expected within the warning area within the next 24 hours.

A tropical storm warning, meaning tropical storm conditions are expected
within 24 hours, was in effect for an area south of Palma Sola to Veracruz.

A tropical storm watch, meaning tropical storm conditions are possible
within 36 hours, was issued for an area north of Cabo Rojo to La Cruz.

Five to 10 inches of rain is expected in Veracruz, with maximum isolated
amounts of up to 15 inches, forecasters said.

Storm surge flooding of 2 to 4 feet above normal tide levels, along with
large and dangerous waves, is predicted near and to the north of where
the center of the storm crosses the coast.
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Meanwhile, Tropical Storm Karen, churning in the Atlantic, was losing
organization and weakening, the Hurricane Center said. As of 5 p.m. ET,
Karen's center was about 845 miles (1,360 km) east of the Windward Islands.

It was moving west-northwest at near 13 mph (21 k/hr). Karen's maximum
sustained winds were near 66 mph (105 km/h), but it was expected to
weaken further over the next 24 hours, forecasters said.