Hurricane Erick barreled up the western coast of Mexico Saturday, bringing with it the danger of flash floods and landslides, forecasters said.

As of 0001 GMT, Erick packed winds of 80 miles (130 kilometers) per hour as it moved to the northwest along the Mexican coastline about 85 miles south of Manzanillo, Mexico.

Heavy rains were falling over parts of southwestern Mexico, the US National Hurricane Center in Miami said, as the storm churned up the Pacific coast at about nine miles per hour.

A hurricane watch was in effect from Punta San Telmo to Cabo Corrientes, with tropical storm warnings for areas further west.

"Hurricane conditions are possible in the hurricane watch area tonight and Sunday," the NHC said in its latest bulletin.

"Tropical storm conditions are likely to spread westward across the Mexican coast in the warned area today through Sunday," it added.

"Swells generated by Erick are affecting the coast of southwest Mexico. These swells are likely to cause life-threatening surf and rip current conditions," it said.

The storm was expected to remain steady overnight and then weaken on Sunday without making landfall as it approached southern Baja California.

Mexico's national weather service has recommended the coastal population of Oaxaca, Guerrero, Michoacan, Colima and Jalisco get ready for torrential rains, powerful waves, flooding, landslides and strong winds.

The storm could drop up to eight inches of rainfall in some spots, the NHC warned, saying "these rains could cause life-threatening flash floods and mud slides."