Carlos to become hurricane off Mexico Pacific coast

MEXICO CITY, July 11 (Reuters) - Tropical Storm Carlos is likely to become a hurricane by Sunday off Mexico's Pacific coast but is far out to sea and heading away from land, the U.S. National Hurricane Center said.

"Carlos is expected to become a hurricane later today or on Sunday," the Miami-based center said on Saturday.

Carlos was located about 970 miles (1,560 km) south-southwest of the southern tip of the Baja California peninsula, with maximum sustained winds of 65 mph (100 kph).

Baja California is home to the popular beach resort of Los Cabos but the area is mainly desert and does not have any oil rigs or refineries. (Reporting by Robin Emmott; Editing by Eric Beech)