MEXICO CITY, Aug. 24 (Xinhua) -- Mexican authorities Sunday warned the inhabitants of Baja California Peninsula in northwest Mexico of tropical storm "Julio," which was to land in hours.

    The National Meteorology Service (SMN) said that Julio was only50 km south of Cabo San Lucas at the southern tip of the Baja California Peninsula and approaching the city with a speed of 85 km per hour.

    According to the National Water Commission (CNA), Julio would reach land 25 km northwest of Agua Blanca, which is some 70 km southwest of La Paz, capital of Baja California Sur.

    Although "Julio" was labeled "moderate" at the dangerous level,authorities warned against possible increase in its strength.

    The states along the Pacific coast, including Baja California Sur, Sinaloa, Nayarit and Jalisco, are most exposed to the storm, they said.