Story highlights Storm strength increases to Category 5

It could become a Category 5 storm before making landfall, forecasters say

The National Hurricane Center calls the storm "extremely dangerous"

(CNN) Hurricane Patricia, churning toward southwestern Mexico, is a "potentially catastrophic hurricane," forecasters said after the storm increased in strength to Category 5.

"Satellite images indicate that maximum sustained winds have increased to near 160 mph (260 kph) with higher gusts," the National Hurricane Center said Thursday night.

Though it is expected to weaken Friday, it should make landfall on the Pacific coast near Punta San Telmo late in the day as an extremely dangerous storm.

Patricia now an extremely dangerous & potentially catastrophic Cat 5 with 160mph winds https://t.co/Oy8uof9ldM pic.twitter.com/gmWrYmBuuj — NHC E. Pacific Ops (@NHC_Pacific) October 23, 2015

"Preparations to protect life and property should be rushed to completion today," the center said.

As of late Thursday night, the storm was about 200 miles (320 kilometers) south of Manzanillo, Mexico, moving northwest at 10 mph (17 kph).

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