MEXICO CITY - Tropical storm Fausto formed off the Mexican resort city of Acapulco on Wednesday, while Elida strengthened to a Category 2 hurricane far away from Baja California's coast.

Neither storm was expected to threaten land. Fausto was moving west away from land at 26 km/h, according to the National Hurricane Center in Miami. It was located about 625 kilometres south of Acapulco with winds reaching 65 km/h. Forecasters predict Fausto will strengthen over the next 24 hours and then begin to lose steam as it heads toward cooler waters.

Meanwhile, hurricane Elida reached its peak intensity with winds of 168 km/h. Located 1,055 kilometres southwest of the tip of Baja California, the Category 2 hurricane was moving farther out to sea.

In the Atlantic, tropical storm Bertha was headed out over open ocean and away from the U.S. mainland, after battering Bermuda.

On Wednesday afternoon, Bertha was centred 580 kilometres northeast of Bermuda, with sustained winds near 110 km/h, the centre said. It was moving toward the southeast at eight km/h.