First Alert Forecast: Nolo is now a Hurricane

HONOLULU (HawaiiNewsNow) – At 5pm, the National Hurricane Center classified Nolo as a category 1 hurricane with sustained winds of 75 mph. It was centered 270 miles south of South Point on Hawaii Island.

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The updated forecast calls for Nolo to rapidly intensify to a category 2 storm by tomorrow morning and a category 3 storm sometime Saturday. Nolo will eventually be a category 4 as it passes to the south of the islands.

Here are the key messages from NHC:

1. Nolo is expected to pass near or just south of the Big Island of Hawaii on Saturday as a major hurricane. Tropical storm conditions are expected to begin on the Big Island Friday night with hurricane conditions possible on Saturday, particularly in areas of steep terrain. Residents should follow advice given by local officials, including evacuating if told to do so.

2. The time to finish preparations for significant heavy rain and flooding impacts on the Big Island is now as heavy rain increases in both coverage and intensity today and Friday. Periods of heavy rain are expected to continue across the Big Island and Maui through the weekend. Life-threatening, catastrophic flooding and mudslides are possible, especially in areas of steep terrain across the eastern and southern portions of the Big Island and Maui. Across the remainder of Hawaii, lesser rainfall totals are expected, with isolated flooding possible.

Read more Hurricane Nolo set to rapidly intensify as it nears Hawaii Island

3. Large and damaging waves are likely along portions of the Big Island’s coastline into the weekend.

4. A Tropical Storm Watch is in effect for Maui County where tropical storm conditions are possible beginning on Saturday. Interests elsewhere in Hawaii should closely monitor the latest forecast updates and ensure that they have their preparedness plans in place.

View the latest weather conditions here.

Download the HNN Weather app from the Apple App Store or Google Play for the latest updates from your First Alert Weather Team: chief meteorologist Jennifer Robbins and weather anchors Guy Hagi, Dan Cooke, Ben Gutierrez, and Billy V.

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