HAWAII — Hurricane Nolo is intensifying in the central Pacific and will likely bring heavy rainfall and large swells to Hawaii this weekend.
The 5 pm ET advisory from the National Hurricane Center had winds of 1055 mph, making Nolo a Category 2 hurricane.
A Tropical Storm Warning and a Hurricane Watch continue for the Big Island of Hawaii, and a Tropical Storm Watch is posted for Maui.
Nolo is expected to strengthen further and become a major hurricane on Sunday.
The storm is moving to the north-northeast. It is expected to turn quickly westward on Saturday and remain well south of the Hawaiian Islands.
Tropical storm-force winds are likely on the Big Island by late Friday, with hurricane conditions possible at higher elevations.
Rainfall of 10 to 15 inches, with isolated 25-inch amounts, is now likely across the Big Island and could produce catastrophic flash flooding.
The island of Maui is forecast to receive 4 to 6 inches of rain, with isolated amounts of 10 inches possible.
The remainder of the Hawaiian Islands could receive 1 to 5 inches of rain.
Large and powerful swells will push toward southern Hawaii Friday night and intensify through the weekend.
Nolo is the third tropical system to threaten Hawaii this year.
Lala impacted the Big Island in mid-August, and Lowell severely damaged parts of Kauai in early September.
Stay with Severe Weather Center 9 for the latest on the tropics all season long.
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