ORLANDO, Fla. — Tropical Storm Nolo is strengthening in the central Pacific and is expected to become a major threat to Hawaii in the coming days, with hurricane conditions possible on the Big Island as early as Friday night.
According to the National Hurricane Center’s 11 a.m. advisory, Nolo had maximum sustained winds of 60 mph.
A Hurricane Watch remains in effect for the Big Island, and forecasters expect it could be upgraded to a Hurricane Warning later Thursday.
Tropical Storm Watches could also be issued for other parts of Hawaii on Thursday or Friday.
Forecasters are calling for additional rapid strengthening. Nolo is expected to become a hurricane Thursday night and could reach major hurricane strength by Saturday.
The storm is currently stationary but is expected to begin moving north-northeastward later Thursday before turning west, just south of the Hawaiian Islands.
The Big Island faces the greatest rainfall threat. Forecasters say 15 to 20 inches of rain could fall across parts of the island, with isolated totals reaching 35 inches.
Such rainfall could produce catastrophic flash flooding.
Maui is forecast to receive 5 to 10 inches of rain, with isolated amounts of up to 20 inches possible.
The remainder of the Hawaiian Islands could see 1 to 6 inches of rain.
Large and powerful swells are also expected to reach southern Hawaii beginning Friday and could linger through the weekend.
Nolo is the third tropical system to threaten Hawaii this year.
Lala affected the Big Island in mid-August, while Lowell severely damaged parts of Kauai in early September.
Stay with Severe Weather Center 9 for the latest updates on Nolo and the tropics throughout the season.
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