Hurricane Fausto to pass north of Hawaii, but could still generate dangerous 15-foot waves

HONOLULU, Hawaii — The core of Hurricane Fausto is expected to pass well to the north of Hawaii, but not before potentially bringing dangerous swells to the state.

Fausto is slowly weakening and is expected to pass north of the island as a tropical storm from Tuesday into Wednesday.

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After peaking as a Category 2 hurricane, Fausto is gradually weakening as it continues westward, with the storm’s core forecast to pass well north of the Hawaiian Islands while its outer bands brush the state.

According to the FOX Forecast Center, forecasts continue to show Fausto tracking north of the Hawaiian Islands on Tuesday into Wednesday, by then as a weakening tropical storm.

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As of the latest advisory, Hurricane Fausto was located about 670 miles east of Hilo, Hawaii, moving west at 14 mph with maximum sustained winds of 80 mph and a minimum central pressure of 984 mb.

Forecasters expect the hurricane to continue on a general west to west-northwest track over the next several days while gradually weakening.

The system is expected to make its closest approach to Oahu and Kauai on Wednesday, though it will be considerably weaker by then.

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FOX Weather Senior Correspondent Robert Ray will report live from Hawaii on Tuesday as Hurricane Fausto approaches the islands, bringing viewers the latest conditions and storm impacts from the Aloha State.

Hurricane Fausto's first impacts on Hawaii are expected to come in the form of dangerous surf.

Swells will build along east-facing shores through Tuesday, with waves as high as 15 feet possible in some locations.

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Despite its approach, Hurricane Fausto is not expected to pose a major threat to Hawaii. Aside from increasing surf and dangerous rip currents, little rainfall is forecast as the storm remains well offshore.

Stay with FOX Weather for the latest on Tropical Storm Fausto as it churns toward Hawaii.