Hurricane Eugene weakens to tropical storm

July 11 (UPI) -- The National Hurricane Center on Tuesday said Hurricane Eugene has weakened to a tropical storm.

"Showers and thunderstorms have become a little better organized since yesterday near a broad area of low pressure located several hundred miles south-southwest of Manzanillo, Mexico," the NHC said in statement issued at 2 a.m. EST. "Environmental conditions could become more conducive for gradual development of this system over the next several days while it moves westward or west-northwestward at about 10 mph."

Although the storm has weakened, the NHC still warns of high surf and rip currents along the west coast of Mexico and Southern California.

"Swells generated by Eugene are affecting portions of the west coast of the Baja California peninsula and will spread northward to portions of southern California by tonight and Tuesday," the NHC said in a statement on Monday. "These swells are likely to cause life-threatening surf and rip current conditions."

Eugene is expected to be downgraded to a remnant low by Wednesday.