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Fernanda weakens slightly, remains major hurricane

COURTESY NOAA

Hurricane Fernanda has weakened a little but remains a major hurricane.

Update 5 a.m.

Hurricane Fernanda weakened further overnight but remains a major hurricane.

Packing maximum sustained winds near 125 mph at 5 a.m., Fernanda is about 1,650 miles east of Hilo and moving west-northwest at 10 mph.

Hurricane-force winds are sustained at 30 miles from the storm’s center.

Forecasters at the National Hurricane Center expect Fernanda to continue weakening over the next 48 hours.

Update 5 p.m.

Hurricane Fernanda has weakened a little but remains a major hurricane.

At 5 p.m., Fernanda was located about 1,774 miles east of Hilo with maximum sustained winds of 120 mph and continued to move west-northwest at 12 mph. The Category 3 storm had maximum sustained winds of 135 mph earlier today.

The storm is expected to gradually weaken during the next 48 hours.

Update 11 a.m.

National Weather Service officials reported that Hurricane Fernanda weakened to a Category 3 storm, but will still remain a powerful hurricane for another day.

At 11 a.m., Fernanda was located about 1,832 miles east of Hilo with maximum sustained winds of 135 mph and continued to move west-northwest at 12 mph.

Hurricane-force winds are sustained at 30 miles from the storm’s center, but tropical-storm-force winds increased outward up to 105 miles.

Forecasters are still expecting Fernanda to weaken by Monday.

Previous coverage

Hurricane Fernanda strengthened to a Category 4 hurricane storm Saturday night and continues moving west-northwest at 13 mph according to National Weather Service officials.

Despite regaining strength, there are no coastal watches or warnings in effect and forecasters are expecting Fernanda to gradually weaken over the next couple of days, after moving toward cooler waters.

At 5 a.m., Fernanda was located about 1,902 miles east of the Big Island with maximum sustained winds of 130 mph.

Hurricane-force winds are reaching outward up to 30 miles from the center and tropical-storm-force winds are reaching outward up to 80 miles.

By Saturday, Fernanda is expected to be about 780 miles east of the Big Island with maximum sustained winds of 40 mph.

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