In just 36 hours, Hurricane Genevieve strengthened from a 70-mph tropical storm into a powerful Category 4 hurricane with 155-mph winds.

Genevieve became a Category 5 hurricane early Monday, the first in the East Pacific region in two years, forecasters said.

Despite its formidable strength, forecasters anticipate Genevieve will remain far out at sea, tracking a course roughly parallel to Mexico ’s coastline.