MEXICO CITY (AP):

Hurricane Norbert weak-ened to a still-potent Category 3 storm early yesterday on a path expected to take it to Mexico's southern Baja California peninsula on the weekend.

Norbert's winds have decreased slightly to 115 mph (185 kph) after briefly hitting Category 4 force at 135 mph (215 kph) on Wednesday night, according to the US. National Hurricane Center in Miami. Forecasters said it remains a dangerous storm.

In the state of Baja California Sur, authorities cancelled a weekend fishing contest in the coastal town of Todos Santos and changed the arrival dates in Los Cabos of two cruise ships.

Los Cabos Mayor Oscar Nunez late Wednesday urged residents living in makeshift housing and in low-lying areas to prepare to evacuate.

Luis Gonzalez, the state's top civil protection official, said brigades are ready to begin evacuating residents of the towns of Agua Escondida, El Cardonal and Marquez de Leon on Norbert's potential path.