Hurricane Felicia grew to a Category 4 storm yesterday afternoon, but forecasters believe it will begin to weaken today and is expected to be downgraded to a tropical storm or depression as it approaches Hawai'i this weekend.

Felicia was classified as a Category 3 hurricane at 11 a.m., but by 5 p.m. the system had grown to a Category 4 with maximum sustained winds of 140 mph. At 11 p.m., Felicia was about 1,600 miles east-southeast of Hilo and was moving west-northwest at 10 mph.

Hurricane-force winds extended 40 miles from the storm's center, while tropical storm winds (39 to 73 mph) reached out 155 miles.

Forecasters said it's difficult to predict Felicia's track, but said if it continues on its current path, the storm could be east of the Big Island Monday night as a tropical depression, which has maximum sustained winds of 39 mph.

"It's still uncertain whether or not the path of Felicia will take it directly over the Islands, nearby, or whether it will miss by quite a lot," said Richard Knabb, deputy director of the Central Pacific Hurricane Center in Honolulu. "The good news is we think it will weaken from that strength and if it does impact us, it would most likely do so as a tropical storm or depression."

Still, Knabb cautioned, a tropical storm or depression could bring heavy rain and gusty winds.

"That would be another major hazard we'd be concerned about if it does come right at us," Knabb said.

He said the "best scenario" would be for Felicia to head north in the next few days and weaken as it enters cooler waters. If it turns west in the direction of Hawai'i, the storm would maintain its intensity "a little longer," but still is likely to weaken as it continues toward the state, Knabb said.

"We're pretty confident about the west turn, we just don't now how far north it's going to get before it makes that turn, and that impacts whether or not it comes directly over us," he said.

As the storm approaches, residents may notice an increase in surf, possibly as early as this weekend, Knabb said. He said the waves could reach advisory or warning levels on east-facing shores.

If Felicia heads directly at the state, residents can expect stronger northeasterly winds and rain showers Sunday night or early Monday, Knabb said. But he added that residents shouldn't wait until then to begin preparing for the storm.

"The best way to channel your concern is to go over your plan," he said. "If this does really come our way and over the weekend a (storm) watch or warning is issued, then think through now what you're going to do when that happens instead of waiting until the last minute when it does become more difficult to complete those tasks."

On Felicia's heels was Tropical Storm Enrique, which had maximum sustained winds of 50 mph at 11 p.m. yesterday. But Knabb said Enrique continues to weaken and is expected to dissipate in the next two to three days.

"So Enrique is not really going to cause us any trouble at all," he said.

As the two storms approached the islands, emergency officials emphasized the importance of being prepared, even though the two storms were forecast to weaken.

"Due to the unpredictability of hurricanes and tropical storms, all residents should closely monitor Felicia and Enrique through the weekend and take the time now to discuss hurricane preparedness actions and disaster preparedness plans," said Melvin Kaku, director of the city Department of Emergency Management.

The American Red Cross advised residents to put together a disaster supply kit with enough water and non-perishable food for a minimum five to seven days. A complete list is available atwww.hawaiiredcross.org.

The Red Cross also said people should have an evacuation plan and should stay informed on the latest information on the storms.