The National Hurricane Center in Miami said the depression was centered about 245 miles (395 kilometers) south of the coastal city of Mazatlan at 2 a.m. Pacific time.

Maximum sustained winds are near 35 mph (55 kph). Forecasters say the depression could strengthen to a tropical storm with wind speeds of 39 mph (63 kph) or more, before it nears the Mexican coast by Saturday.

The depression was gaining speed slightly, moving toward the north-northeast at about 12 mph (19 kph).