Hurricane Danny in Atlantic, Tropical Storm Kilo in Pacific downgraded

MIAMI, Aug. 22 (UPI) -- Hurricane Danny was downgraded to a Category 2 storm Saturday with winds at 100 mph as it continues to churn toward the eastern Caribbean's Leeward Islands.

The National Hurricane Center said the storm is expected to be downgraded to a tropical storm by Sunday as it approaches the island chain. As of 5 a.m. Saturday it was moving at 10 mph and is expected to turn to the west later with an increase in forward speed. A tropical storm watch will likely be posted for the Leeward Islands and the Virgin Islands Saturday afternoon, but it is still more than 700 miles from land.

NOAA and Air Force Reserve Unit reconnaissance aircraft will investigate the storm further to provide a better estimate of the storm's intensity.

"Strong southwesterly winds aloft and a stable air mass are expected to cause Danny to continue losing strength during the next several days," forecaster John Cangialosi said. "In addition, the potential land interaction with the Greater Antilles could contribute to the weakening."

At the same time in the Pacific, Tropical Storm Kilo was downgraded to a tropical depression but may still pose a threat to Hawaii.

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