HAWAII — Tropical Storm Nolo is nearing hurricane status in the central Pacific and remains a huge concern to Hawaii in the coming days.
The 5 pm ET advisory from the National Hurricane Center had winds of 70 mph, making Nolo a strong tropical storm.
A Tropical Storm Warning and a Hurricane Watch is now posted for the Big Island of Hawaii, and a Tropical Storm Watch has been issued for Maui.
Additional watches and warnings are possible for other parts of Hawaii.
Nolo is on track for rapid strengthening and is anticipated to become a hurricane Thursday night and become a major hurricane by Saturday.
The storm is now moving to the north. It is anticipated to lift north northeastward through Friday and then turn to the west just south of the Hawaiian Islands.
Tropical storm force winds are likely on the Big Island by late Friday, with hurricane conditions possible.
Rainfall of 15 to 30 inches, with isolated 35-inch amounts are possible across the Big Island, likely producing catastrophic flash flooding.
The island of Maui is now forecast to receive 5 to 10 inches of rain, with isolated amounts of 20 inches possible.
The remainder of the Hawaiian Islands could receive 1 to 6 inches of rain.
Large and powerful swells will push toward southern Hawaii on Friday and linger 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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