MEXICO CITY — Tropical Storm Andres was slowing down and strengthening off the southwestern coast of Mexico early today, and forecasters said it could become a hurricane in coming days.

It was too soon to tell if the storm would make landfall, but a tropical storm watch was issued from Zihuatanejo northward to Manzanillo, meaning that tropical storm conditions were possible in the next day or two.

Late Sunday night, Andres became the first named storm of the Eastern Pacific hurricane season, which began May 15 and ends November 30 and is typically busiest between July and September.

Andres was a late arrival, forecasters said. It's been 40 years since it took so long in the Eastern Pacific season for a named storm to come along.

Federal forecasters have predicted a near-normal or below-normal season, with the possibility for 13 to 18 named storms, including six to 10 hurricanes. The forecast Monday didn't indicate landfall, but the storm was close enough to the coast that a storm warning could be required later in the day.