Monday, November 21, 2011 --- 6:45 a.m.

MIAMI (AP) -- Kenneth continues to strengthen in the eastern Pacific Ocean, with forecasters predicting the rare late-season tropical storm will become a hurricane.

The U.S. National Hurricane Center in Miami said Monday that Kenneth had maximum sustained winds near 65 mph (100 kph). The storm was centered about 740 miles (1,190 kilometers) south of the southern tip of Baja California, Mexico, but was moving away from the coast.

It is moving west at 14 mph (22 kph).

Projections show Kenneth moving west out to sea, away from land. There are no coastal watches or warnings in effect.

The eastern Pacific hurricane season ends Nov. 30.

Copyright 2011. The Associated Press.