Tropical Storm Erick continues to weaken well south of Hawaii Island, but Tropical Storm Flossie is about to reach the Central Pacific.
As of 11 a.m., Erick was about 305 miles southwest of Hilo and was moving west at 13 mph with maximum sustained winds near 45 mph, with higher gusts.
Forecasters say Erick will continue to weaken over the next 48 hours and is expected to become a remnant low by Sunday.
Moisture associated with the storm will continue over portions of the main Hawaiian Islands through early Saturday. Rainfall totals of 4-8 inches are possible.
On the heels of Erick, Flossie continues moving west-northwest at 17 mph. The storm’s northward turn will take the storm somewhat to the east of the Big Island should the current track hold.
As of 11 a.m., Flossie was about 1,030 miles east of Hilo with maximum sustained winds of 65 miles per hour and higher gusts. Tropical storm-force winds can extend outward up to 140 miles from the center.
The storm is expected to cross into the Central Pacific basin in the next few hours.
According to forecasters, Flossie is expected to gradually weaken over the weekend and through early next week.
A high surf warning for east-facing shores of the Big Island remains in effect until 6 p.m. tonight and a flash flood watch for Hawaii Island is in effect through Saturday morning.