Felicia downgraded to tropical storm

UPDATE: A tropical storm watch is in place for the islands of Hawaii, Maui, Molokai, Kahoolawe and Lanai. The predicated storm track has moved further to the north and interests in the rest of Hawaii should monitor this storm's progress regularly.

Current Tropical Storm Advisory

Active Hawaiian Watches and Warnings

Tropical Storm Felicia has been steadily loosing strength since reaching an intense Category 4 a couple of days ago. All storm tracks still predict that Felicia will pass over the Big Island or in the channel between Hawaii and Maui.

Felicia Still Churning in Pacific on Her Way to Hawaii (AccuWeather)

As of 4 a.m. HST, Sunday, or 11 a.m. EDT, Felicia has weakened to a tropical storm still aiming westward for the Hawaiian Islands. The storm had maximum-sustained winds of 70 mph. Further weakening is on the offing, owing to the setting of cooler water and wind shear separating Felicia from the archipelago. Both will cause Felicia to weaken during the early week, maybe by Tuesday. The center of Felicia will cross the islands as a tropical depression or tropical storm on Monday night into Tuesday.

Felicia has been on a slow steady trek across the Pacific for the past week heading steadily towards southern Hawaii the entire time. Warm waters and low cross winds allowed Felicia to grow to a Cat 4 hurricane maintaining that status for a short while. Cooler waters are leading to a fairly rapid decreasing of Felicia's intensity. As she approaches Hawaii, increasing wind shear will tear Felicia apart further. The storm may be a depression or just a remnant low as she crosses the islands or shortly after.

Felicia weakens to tropical storm near Hawaii (Associated Press)

The Central Pacific Hurricane Center said Sunday morning the storm had been downgraded to a tropical storm with maximum sustained winds of 55 mph with
higher gusts. It's expected to weaken even more before hitting Hawaii late Monday.

The Hurricane Center said the storm had a center about 555 miles east of Hilo and 735 miles east of Honolulu at 8 a.m. local time.

The biggest threat to Hawaii posed by Felicia is excessively high surf especially on eastern-facing beaches. Some moderate wind damage may also be expected such as downed tree limbs from gale-force winds.

Hawaii to close beaches as Hurricane Felicia nears (LA Times)

Honolulu -- Several beach parks on Hawaii's Big Island will be closed beginning this afternoon because of Hurricane Felicia, which is expected to increase wave heights as it approaches land, Hawaii County Civil Defense Agency officials said Saturday.