Tropical Storm Nolo has strengthened in the Pacific Ocean, prompting a hurricane watch for Hawaii’s Big Island as forecasters warn it could become a major hurricane by the weekend. The storm, currently moving west-northwest with 40 mph sustained winds, is expected to make a sharp turn northward on Thursday before approaching the Big Island by Friday or Saturday, according to the National Hurricane Center (NHC).
The NHC projects Nolo will reach hurricane strength by Thursday afternoon and escalate to Category 3 or higher by early Saturday, with maximum sustained winds of at least 111 mph. Forecasters warn the storm could bring catastrophic flooding and mudslides, particularly in steep terrain areas.
Rainfall and Flooding Risks
The storm is forecast to dump 15 to 20 inches of rain on the Big Island, with isolated areas receiving up to 35 inches. Maui may see 5 to 10 inches, with some locations reaching 20 inches, while the remaining islands could receive 1 to 3 inches. The NHC cautions that these totals could trigger life-threatening flooding and landslides, especially in high-elevation zones.
Storm Track and Timing
As of Wednesday evening, Nolo was moving west-northwest at 10 mph, but a sharp turn to the north and north-northeast is anticipated by Thursday. The storm’s center is expected to pass south of the Big Island over the weekend, though outer bands may still bring severe impacts.
Recent Hurricane Activity in Hawaii
This year has seen two prior tropical systems impact Hawaii. Hurricane Lala in August caused widespread damage on the Big Island, including 100 homes washed away, landslides, and power outages. Hurricane Lowell, which struck earlier this month, brought damaging winds, heavy rain, and power disruptions to Kauai and Niihau, with some areas still recovering from outages.
Forecasters emphasize that Nolo’s trajectory and intensity remain subject to change, and residents are urged to monitor updates closely.