What Happened
Hurricane Nolo is steadily intensifying south of the Hawaiian Islands, packing maximum sustained winds of 105 miles per hour. According to the National Hurricane Center, the storm was centered about 185 miles south of South Point, moving north-northeast at 5 mph.
While current forecast tracks indicate the storm center will remain south of the main islands, forecasters warn that warm sea surface temperatures will fuel Nolo's rapid intensification into a major Category 3 hurricane over the weekend.
Emergency alerts have triggered immediate action. A Tropical Storm Warning is in effect for Hawaii County, a Hurricane Watch remains active for the area, and a Tropical Storm Watch has been issued for Maui County.
Why It Matters
Even if the center of Nolo stays offshore, its expansive wind and rain fields pose significant hazards. Hurricane-force winds extend up to 40 miles outward, while tropical storm-force winds reach up to 105 miles.
The greatest threat comes from extreme rainfall. Eastern and southern portions of the Big Island face staggering rainfall totals of 10 to 15 inches, with localized maximums reaching up to 25 inches. Maui County is expected to receive 4 to 6 inches, with isolated maximum amounts of 10 inches.
These totals create a severe risk of catastrophic, life-threatening flash flooding and mudslides, particularly in steep terrain and high-elevation areas. Additionally, a dangerous storm surge could push water 1 to 3 feet above normal tide levels along vulnerable coastal zones of Hawaii County.
What's Next
Nolo is expected to slow down its forward motion through Friday night before executing a sharp turn toward the west-northwest and west over the weekend, accompanied by an increase in forward speed.
Forecasters urge residents and visitors in the warning and watch zones to finalize emergency preparations immediately. Flood watches remain in place through Saturday evening, and high surf advisories are active for east and southeast shores. Staying updated via local weather alerts is critical as conditions deteriorate.
