Fernanda Weakens, Could Bring Rain on Monday Approach

By Wendy Osher

(Update: 11 a.m. Friday, August 19, 2011)

Fernanda is expected to continue to weaken, becoming a post tropical remnant low by Saturday, according to forecasters at the Central Pacific Hurricane Center.

At 11:00 a.m. HST, the center of tropical depression Fernanda was located about 700 miles ESE of the Big Island.

The depression is moving toward the west near 12 mph and is expected to continue moving west during the next 48 hours. Maximum sustained winds are near 35 mph.

Earlier today, forecasters said the state may potentially have rainfall associated with the system early next week as it passes south of the state early Monday morning.

(Posted: 7 a.m. Friday, August 19, 2011)

Tropical Storm Fernanda, 5-day tracking map courtesy National Weather Service.

Tropical Storm Feranda significantly weakened overnight and continues to fall apart. Forecasters with the Central Pacific Hurricane Center say the state may potentially have moderate to heavy rainfall as an affect of the passing system early next week, but it will likely weaken to a remnant low in the next 24 hours.

At 5 a.m., Fernanda was located 780 miles ESE of the Big Island. Forecast models show Fernanda passing south of the state early Monday morning.

Authorities with the National Weather Service say the greatest potential for rainfall is over the Big Island and possibly for Maui, beginning late Sunday and into early next week.

Fernanda is moving toward the west near 12 mph and is expected to turn more toward the west at the same forward speed on Saturday.

Maximum sustained winds are near 40 mph with tropical storm force winds extending outward up to 75 miles from the center.

The next advisory will be issued at 11 a.m.