Hurricane Priscilla has begun weakening in the Pacific Ocean but is still expected to bring heavy rainfall to portions of the southwestern U.S.

Tropical Storm Priscilla could bring heavy rain and a “significant” risk of flash flooding to the southwestern U.S. through this weekend, forecasters warn.

Hurricane Priscilla will become a more powerful storm this week as it continues to strengthen over the Pacific Ocean off southwest Mexico. The National Hurricane Center, which is based in Miami, said the storm was expected to bring heavy rains and gusty winds to the region.

Hurricane Priscilla is expected to bring heavy rain and gusty winds to parts of southwestern Mexico, according to the National Hurricane Center.

Hurricanes Priscilla and Octave will follow similar paths along the cost of Mexico, with only Priscilla raising any concerns.

Hurricane Priscilla neared Category 3 status on Tuesday in the Pacific as a new tropical storm strengthened in the Atlantic, the US National Hurricane Center said. Just off the west coast of Mexico, Priscilla was spinning with maximum sustained winds around 105 mph and moving northwest at 9 mph.

Hurricane Priscilla continues to intensify in the Pacific Ocean. Here's what you need to know about where the storm is headed.

A map from the NHC showed a risk of flash floods stretching as far north as Northern Utah. Other states expecting heavy rain include Western Colorado, New Mexico, Arizona, Southern Nevada, and Southern California. The heavy rain will begin on Thursday and persist into the weekend, with the highest risk of flash floods expected on Saturday.

A tropical storm watch was issued for Baja California Sur from Cabo San Lucas to Cabo San Lazaro, the U.S. National Hurricane Center said.