Tropical Storm Felicia is heading between Maui County and the Big Island, Hawaii forecasters said.

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Forecasters dropped the tropical storm watch for the Big Island on Monday morning.

Tropical Storm Felicia has sustained winds of 40 mph, traveling west at about 10 mph. The storm is 208 miles east-northeast of Hilo as of 5 p.m. Monday. Felicia could be downgraded to a tropical depression at 38 mph.

The National Weather Service placed Oahu and Maui County under tropical storm and flash flood watches as Tropical Storm Felicia approaches. There is also a tropical storm warning for offshore waters to the east of the Hawaiian Islands. (Read more on Maui County's preparations.)

A flash flood watch begins Monday morning for Maui County and the Big Island and expected to expand to Oahu Tuesday morning. The southern islands may see 10 to 12 inches of rain through Tuesday afternoon. The northern islands are forecast to receive around 6 inches of rain through Wednesday afternoon.

A high surf warning is in effect for the east facing shores of Maui County and the Big Island, where waves may hit 18 feet in face Monday.

Maui Mayor Charmaine Tavares on Sunday night said officials closed Hana and Keanae beach parks because of dangerous high surf.

A high surf advisory is posted for the east facing shores of Kauai and Oahu. Surf on these shores should hit 12 feet.

The Department of Education said it plans to keep all schools open through the state on Monday. Only a charter school, West Hawaii Explorations Academy in Kona, said it is closing on Monday. DOE officials said they will assess whether to close any campuses on Tuesday.