Hurricane Nolo close to category 5 intensity, on track away from main Hawaiian islands

News admin September 28, 2026 0 Comments

Hurricane Nolo close to category 5 intensity, on track away from main Hawaiian islands

HONOLULU (HawaiiNewsNow) – Hurricane Nolo is continuing to strengthen and is forecast to become a category 5 system Monday as it moves to the west-northwest.

The National Hurricane Center said at 11 p.m. Sunday, Nolo was 400 miles southwest of Honolulu, or 605 miles south-southeast of French Frigate Shoals, and was moving to the west-northwest at 12 miles per hour.

Nolo’s maximum sustained winds have increased to 155 miles per hour. Hurricane force winds extend up to 35 miles from the 35-mile wide eye, while tropical storm force winds extend outward up to 150 miles,

Nolo is now a threat to part of the Papahānaumokuakea Marine National Monument. A hurricane watch has been issued for the islands of Nihoa westward through French Frigate Shoals.

Potential threats

WIND: Hurricane conditions are possible in the hurricane watch area of Papahānaumokuakea Marine National Monument by Wednesday, with tropical storm conditions possible by Tuesday.

SURF: Swells generated by Nolo are affecting south-facing shores of the main Hawaiian Islands through the next few days.

Large surf associated with Nolo will affect the Papahanaumokuakea Marine National Monument beginning on Monday. These large waves will likely inundate some of the low-lying atolls, especially from French Frigate Shoals to Nihoa.

Weather Alerts

A Wind Advisory is in effect until 6 a.m. Monday for portions of Oahu, the island of Molokai, parts of Maui and the Kohala and North Kona areas of Hawaii Island. East winds of 25 to 35 miles per hour with gusts near 50 miles per hour will be possible.

A High Surf Advisory is in effect for the east shores of Kauai and Oahu through 6 a.m. Monday.