Powerful but slow- moving Hurricane Norman continued its approach toward the Central Pacific on Thursday.

The Category 4 hurricane was 2,325 miles east of Hilo as of 5 p.m. Thursday, moving west-southwest at 9 miles per hour. Maximum sustained winds were measured at 150 mph with hurricane-force winds extending outward up to 25 miles and tropical storm-force winds up to 80 miles.

Forecasters at the National Weather Service predicted that the storm would turn toward the west and west-northwest with an increase in forward speed sometime over the weekend.

While gradual weakening is expected, Norman is likely to remain a powerful hurricane through the next several days, the weather service reported.

Meanwhile, Hurricane Miriam continued its northward arc away from the Hawaiian Islands today.

The Category 1 Hurricane was 910 miles east-southeast of Hilo at 5 p.m. Thursday, moving north at 8 mph.

The storm carried maximum sustained winds of 85 mph, with hurricane- force winds extending some 25 miles outward from the center and tropical storm-force winds extending outward up to 90 miles.

Miriam is expected to weaken rapidly over the weekend, becoming a post-tropical remnant by Sunday.

The National Hurricane Center is also keeping watch on a tropical disturbance in the Atlantic region that could develop into a tropical cyclone.

The storm was about 260 miles east-southeast of the Cabo Verde Islands at 5 p.m. Thursday, moving west at 13 mph and carrying maximum sustained winds of 35 mph.

NHC reported that the storm was becoming better organized and would likely become a tropical storm within the next day.

Further strengthening and an increase in forward speed is forecast over the next two to three days.

In the meantime, local weather is expected to be mostly dry and pleasant due to a high-pressure system to the north. Moderate tradewinds are forecast through today and into the evening.