1 of 2 | Hurricane Kiko, shown off the coast of Hawaii, has been downgraded to a Category 3 storm, and is likely to pass north of the islands early this week. Photo courtesy of NOAA.
Sept. 7 (UPI) — Hurricane Kiko, packing winds in excess of 110 mph, is forecast to approach the Hawaiian islands early this week, but is predicted to pass to the north, meteorologists said Sunday.
“The forecast track currently for Kiko is to pass north of Hawaii,” the National Weather Service said in a public advisory on social media. “It is still too soon to determine the exact location/magnitude of potential impacts from Kiko. Interests in the island should continue to monitor Kiko’s progress.”
As of Sunday morning, the Category 3 storm was about 715 miles east of Hilo and moving to the west-northwest at about 13 mph, generating what forecasters said could be life-threatening surf in the Hawaiian islands.
Kiko had intensified to a Category 4 hurricane early last week, but was later downgraded as it weakened off the coast. Forecasters said it could degrade into a Tropical Storm by Tuesday, but will still be capable of creating heavy rain, gusty winds and dangerous surf through the first half of the week.
There are currently no watches or warnings in place, the NHC said.