Hurricane Miriam expected to weaken in Pacific

Aug. 30 (UPI) -- Hurricane Miriam is slowing as it heads northwest across the central Pacific Ocean, posing no threat to land.

Miriam began as a tropical storm earlier this week in the eastern Pacific Ocean, prior to the formation of the more powerful Hurricane Norman, and developed into a Category 1 hurricane.

In a morning advisory on Thursday, the Central Pacific Hurricane Center emphasized that Miriam is traveling "far away from land," the National Hurricane Center said. The eye of the hurricane is located about 940 miles east-southeast of Hilo, Hawaii, with maximum sustained winds of 80 mph. It has been moving at 8 mph.

It is expected turn toward the northwest and north through Friday night, when it will weaken, the CPHC said. No storm warnings or coastal watches were in effect.