Hurricane Erick rapidly intensified over the last 24 hours, growing into a powerful Category 4 storm but weakening slightly before making landfall.

Erick rapidly strengthened from a 65 mph tropical storm to a potentially catastrophic 145 mph Category 4 hurricane as it neared Mexico’s southwest coastline between Acapulco and Puerto Escondido.

Tropical Storm Erick is expected to rapidly intensify into a hurricane this week, with some meteorologists anticipating it will reach major hurricane status before making landfall in Mexico on Thursday morning.