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Hurricane Miriam crosses into Central Pacific

CENTRAL PACIFIC HURRICANE CENTER

The forecast track for Hurricane Miriam as of 5 p.m. today.

UPDATE: 5 p.m.

Hurricane Miriam has crossed into the Central Pacific, just barely a Category 1 hurricane.

The Central Pacific Hurricane Center says the storm is no threat to land.

Miriam’s center is about 1,230 miles east-southeast of Honolulu and moving toward the west at about 8 mph.

Tonight, Miriam is expected to turn toward the northwest and slow down, then turn toward the north on Friday and continue in that direction Saturday.

Maximum sustained winds were 75 mph, at the low end of the Category 1 scale, which has wind speeds of 74 to 95 mph.

The hurricane center said Miriam should begin weakening Friday as upper-level winds and cooler waters begin to break it down.

11 a.m.

Miriam grew in strength today and is now a Category 1 hurricane, just as it is about to cross over into the Central Pacific.

Located about 1,090 miles east-southeast of Hilo at 11 a.m., Miriam had 75 mph maximum sustained winds while heading west at 9 mph, according to the National Hurricane Center.

A turn toward the west-northwest with a decrease in forward speed is expected tonight, followed by a turn toward the northwest and north through Friday night.

Some additional strengthening is possible during the next 24 hours. Miriam is expected to begin weakening on Friday as it encounters strong upper-level winds and cooler waters.

Hurricane-force winds extend outward up to 25 miles from Miriam’s center and tropical-storm-force winds extend outward up to 90 miles.

PREVIOUS COVERAGE

Tropical Storm Miriam grew stronger overnight as expected, and will likely cross into the Central Pacific later today.

With maximum sustained winds of 70 mph, Miriam was located about 1,105 miles east-southeast of Hilo at 5 a.m. today and moving west at 12 mph, according to the National Hurricane Center.

Miriam is forecast to turn to the west-northwest by tonight while slowing in forward speed.

Slight strengthening is possible during the next day or so, and Miriam could become a hurricane by Thursday, weather officials said. Steady weakening is expected to begin on Friday.

Tropical-storm-force winds extend outward up to 80 miles from Miriam’s center.

Behind Miriam, another tropical storm formed late Tuesday and threatens to reach hurricane strength today.

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