Chris becomes first hurricane of season, weakens

Published On: Jun 21 2012 10:42:32 AM CDT   Updated On: Jun 21 2012 03:41:03 PM CDT
Hurricane Chris
HOUSTON -

Chris became the first hurricane of the 2012 Atlantic season Thursday, but it didn't stay a hurricane long.

At 10 a.m. Thursday, maximum sustained winds were near 75 mph with higher gusts, which made Chris a category 1 storm.

At 4 p.m. Thursday, maximum sustained winds dropped down to 70 mph. It was at latitude 42.4 north and longitude 42.9 west and moving north-northeast at 14 mph.

Forecasters said they expected Chris to turn toward the northwest and west on Friday and then turn toward the southwest and south on Saturday.

The storm was expected to continue to weaken over the next 48 hours. The National Hurricane Center said there are no hazards affecting land, and the forecast map predicts that it will stay out to sea over the next few days.

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