The storm's centre was around 225 km south-southwest of Cabo San Lucas at 1500 GMT Tuesday, the US National Hurricane Center said.

Jimena is moving to the north-northwest at 19 kmph and its effects will likely be felt in Los Cabos by Tuesday evening, the NHC said.

The hurricane has maximum sustained winds of 230 kmph.

Baja California Sur has been on a high-level state of alert since Monday ahead of the possible arrival of Jimena, which would be the most powerful storm to hit the area in years.

Alerts have also been declared in other Pacific states, including Sinaloa, Nayarit, Colima and Jalisco, due to heavy rains, strong winds and bad surf conditions.