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Hilary reaches hurricane strength; Muggy, wet weather blankets isles

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COURTESY NOAA

Forecasters are tracking two tropical storms and a hurricane in the Eastern Pacific.

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COURTESY NOAA

The remnants of Fernanda will continue moving west today, across Oahu and Kauai County, dumping rain on areas of the latter, as two tropical storms and a hurricane continue heading toward the Central Pacific.

A flash flood watch for Kauai County is in effect until 6 p.m. Weather officials canceled an earlier flood advisory for Oahu shortly before 9:40 a.m.

Forecasters said Fernanda’s remnants are bringing showers and thunderstorms to Kauai and Niihau.

The weather service said that conditions may develop that lead to flash flooding.

As of 5 a.m. today, Tropical Storm Greg weakened slightly, posting maximum sustained winds of 45 miles per hour. The storm was located about 1,515 miles east of South Point on Hawaii island, moving west at 12 miles per hour.

Forecasters predict that Greg will turn toward either the west-northwest or northwest as it loses forward speed over the next few days.

Meanwhile, Hilary reached hurricane strength overnight, one day sooner than forecasters expected.

At 5 a.m., Hilary was 340 miles south of Manzanillo, Mexico, and packing maximum sustained winds of 80 miles per hour. The storm was moving west-northwest at 8 miles per hour.

Also, Tropical Storm Irwin continued to strengthen and was carrying maximum sustained winds of 60 miles per hour as of 5 a.m. The storm was about 750 miles southwest of the southern tip of Baja, California, and moving west at 3 miles per hour.

Irwin is expected to develop into a hurricane by tonight or Tuesday.

Forecasters predict muggy conditions across the state, with possible heavy showers or thunderstorms through this evening. Breezy trades, lighter humidity and a more settled weather pattern are expected to return tonight as a high-pressure system northeast of the islands asserts itself.

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