Hurricane Kiko, shown here off the coast of Hawaii, has been downgraded to a Category 1 storm, and is likely to pass north of the islands. Photo courtesy of NOAA
Sept. 9 (UPI) — Hurricane Kiko was steadily weakening on Monday but remained a Category 1 storm, according to forecasters who predict it will pass north of the Hawaiian Islands in the next two days.
The storm had maximum sustained winds of 75 mph and was located about 300 miles east-northeast of Hilo, Hawaii, and 450 miles east of Honolulu, the National Hurricane Center said in its 5 p.m. HST update.
It was moving northwest at 14 mph, the center said.
On the forecast track, Kiko was expected to pass north of the Hawaiian Islands on Tuesday and Wednesday, the NHC said.
However, swells generated by the storm were gradually building from east to west across Hawaiian waters and are expected to peak Monday night through Wednesday.
“While the risk of direct impacts on the islands continues to decrease, interests should continue to monitor Kiko’s progress and the latest forecasts,” the NHC said in a discussion on the storm
The forecasters said they expect the storm to be downgraded to a tropical storm overnight.
Kiko had intensified to a Category 4 hurricane early last week, but was later downgraded as it weakened off the coast.
No watches or warnings were in place, the NHC said.