Pacific basin buzzing with life as Gilma expected to bring weekend downpours to Hawaii

HONOLULU – A flurry of tropical activity has the Eastern Pacific Ocean making up for lost time. However, the season is still behind in named storms, as there are normally nine named storms before the end of August.

Tropical Storm Gilma is tracking westward toward Hawaii, but after defying forecasts and remaining a hurricane for six straight days, it is finally feeling the effects of hostile winds.

The storm's weakening has been rather spectacular, according to the FOX Forecast Center. At 5 a.m. Tuesday, it was a 105-mph hurricane. By 5 a.m. Wednesday, it had weakened to a 50-mph tropical storm.

Gilma is forecast to continue weakening and will either become a tropical depression or a remnant area of low pressure as it moves near the islands on Friday and Saturday.

An increase in rain is expected across the islands, but no major impacts are anticipated.

Tropical Storm Hector is on Gilma's heels but is not forecast to become a hurricane. Its path is leading it toward the islands, but it is expected to dissipate as it approaches the islands late this weekend.

As for Tropical Storm Hone, it has passed safely west of the Hawaiian Islands and out into the open sea.

Original article source: Pacific basin buzzing with life as Gilma expected to bring weekend downpours to Hawaii