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(BIVN) – As Hurricane Fernanda moves closer to the Central North Pacific, the forecast for Hawaii is looking favorable as the storm continues to weaken.

Fernanda has become a category 2 hurricane, churning 1,550 miles east of Hilo. Maximum sustained winds have decreased to near 110 mph, and continued gradual weakening is forecast during the next couple of days.

“The National Hurricane Center has (Fernanda) forecast to become a remnant low on Saturday and still 500+ miles east of the state at that time,” forecasters with the National Weather Service in Honolulu stated earlier this morning. “While there’s a range of things that can still happen this week, it is positive news for us in Hawaii.”

“We’ll see how much latitude Fernanda gains this week as it approaches and interacts with an upper trough,” the Honolulu meteorologists continued. “Typically, as tropical cyclones weaken, the low-level flow (in our case, the ENE trades) begin to steer the circulation and moisture. Depending on where Fernanda is at when this happens will determine where the rain ends up.”

Hawaii County Civil Defense issued another message Monday.

“At this time, Hurricane Fernanda is weakening as forecasted, and is expected to continue this weakening trend,” civil defense reported. “It is too early to know what effects, if any, Hurricane Fernanda will have on our island or state.”

“Civil Defense will continue to monitor this system,” the emergency officials stated. “Should any threat develop, you will be informed.”

“An east swell from Fernanda may reach the Hawaii coastal waters as early as tonight,” the NWS says, “then build through the week. The size of this swell will be dependent on the track and intensity of Fernanda.”

The National Weather Service had this discussion posted at 5 p.m. HST Monday: