( CNN ) -- Heavy swells were expected along Mexico 's Pacific coast as Hurricane Dora strengthed into a Category 2 storm Wednesday , the National Hurricane Center said . Dora was churning in the Pacific Ocean on a path that was moving it parallel to the southwestern Mexican coast , the center said . The hurricane was about 215 miles off the coast of Lazaro Cardenas , the center said . It was moving at 17 mph in a west-northwest direction , which placed it on a route outlining the Mexican coast . A tropical storm watch was in effect for the coastal area from Lazaro Cardenas to Cabo Corrientes , the center said . The storm had maximum sustained winds of 105 mph . Strengthening of the storm was expected in the next 48 hours , and Dora could become a major hurricane by Wednesday night , the center said . The storm was expected to produce strong winds and swells that will be felt on the Mexican coast . `` These swells are likely to cause life-threatening surf and rip current conditions , '' the center said .
Hurricane Dora strengthens into Category 2 storm . It has maximum sustained winds of 90 miles per hour . A tropical storm warning is in effect for southwestern Mexico .