Kiko now a tropical storm as it moves past Hawaiian Islands
by Darryl Coote & Mark Moran & Chris Benson · UPISept. 9 (UPI) -- Hurricane Kiko steadily weakened as expected and downgraded to tropical storm status, according to forecasters who predict it will pass north of the Hawaiian Islands.
The now-tropical storm had maximum sustained winds of 45 mph and was located about 220 miles north of Hilo, Hawaii, and also 220 miles east northeast of Honolulu, the National Hurricane Center said in its 11 a.m. HST update.
It was moving west northwest at 14 mph, the center added.
Tropical Storm 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 peaked Monday night and expected to continue to do so 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 later got downgraded as it weakened off the coast.
No watches or warnings were in place, the NHC stated in its 11 a.m. update.