MIAMI (AP) -- Tropical Storm Alvin, the first named storm of the east Pacific hurricane season is gradually strengthening off the coast of Mexico.

The U.S. National Hurricane Center says Alvin's maximum sustained winds early Thursday are near 50 mph (85 kph). The storm, which currently isn't a threat to land, could become a hurricane in the next day or two.

As of 5 a.m. EDT, Alvin was centered about 705 miles (1,135 kilometers) south-southwest of Manzanillo, Mexico, and moving west-northwest near 10 mph (17 kph) on a path that's expected to take it farther out to sea.

The eastern and north Pacific hurricane season began Wednesday and runs through Nov. 30.