Forecasters say Tropical Storm Gilma is rapidly weakening.
Gilma crossed into the Central Pacific and, as of 5 p.m. Tuesday, was about 775 miles east of Hilo, packing maximum sustained winds of 50 mph with locally higher gusts, and moving west at 13 mph.
A motion between west and west-northwest is expected for the next few days, and on the forecast track, the remnants of Gilma should approach to the north of the Big Island on Friday.
Continued steady to rapid weakening is expected, and Gilma is expected to dissipate to a remnant low Thursday or Thursday night.
According to forecasters, the remnants of Gilma could bring heavy rainfall to portions of the Hawaiian Islands as early as Friday, lasting through Saturday.
In addition, an easterly swell generated by Gilma is building over waters around the Hawaiian Islands. These swells may produce high surf along east-facing shores of some islands from today into Friday.
In addition, Tropical Storm Hector remains way to the east of the Hawaiian Islands, and is also expected to weaken, according to forecasters.
As of 5 p.m. Tuesday, Hector was 1,575 miles east of Hilo, wielding maximum sustained winds of 50 mph with locally higher gusts, and moving to the west-northwest at 12 mph. Hector is, however, expected to turn to a more westerly path over the next few days.
Continued gradual weakening is anticipated during the next several days and Hector is forecast to become a post-tropical remnant low on Thursday, while still in the Eastern Pacific.
Tropical Storm Hone continues to churn in the Central Pacific, as well, far west of the Hawaiian Islands.
Email John Burnett at jburnett@hawaiitribune-herald.com
