The agency reported a 50 percent chance of cyclone formation through the next 48 hours and a 70 percent chance through seven days.

Hurricane Priscilla neared Category 3 status on Tuesday in the Pacific as a new tropical storm formed and then strengthened in the Atlantic, the U.S. National Hurricane Center said.

Forecasters warned of "steady strengthening," and Jerry is expected to become a hurricane within the next day or two.