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Three powerful hurricanes churn in the Pacific; Hawaii will see some effects

Hurricane Ignacio was located 460 miles east of the islands Sunday morning, followed by Hurricane Jimena, more than 1,300 miles east.

By Fred Lambert
Hurricanes Ignacio, right, and Jimena, Category 4 storms, were located east of Hawaii Sunday and are expected to pass north of the islands over the next few days. NOAA
1 of 2 | Hurricanes Ignacio, right, and Jimena, Category 4 storms, were located east of Hawaii Sunday and are expected to pass north of the islands over the next few days. NOAA

HONOLULU, Aug. 30 (UPI) -- Two Category 4 storms, Hurricanes Igniacio and Jimena, have been located east of Hawaii headed in a northwesterly direction, while a third, Kilo, is to the west of the islands, making history.

The Weather Channel reports Ignacio was 460 miles east of Hilo, Hawaii, on Monday and is expected to weaken as it passes north of the island chain into Tuesday.

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Ignacio will likely bring some heavy rains to the eastern Hawaiian islands and dangerous surf will be an issue as well.

Following behind is Jimena 1,330 miles east of Hilo and moving west at 16 mph. Hurricane Jimena is also expected to lessen in intensity as it passes north of the islands over the next few days.

A third storm, Hurricane Kilo, was reported southwest of Hawaii late Saturday into Sunday -- marking the first time three Category 4 hurricanes have been recorded at the same time in the central and eastern Pacific Ocean, according to Eric Blake, a specialist at the National Hurricane Center.

Category 4 hurricanes make up the second highest category on the Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Wind Scale, with maximum sustained winds of 130-156 mph, the Weather Channel reports.

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The Central Pacific Hurricane Center has issued a tropical storm watch for the Big Island and Maui County.

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