Tropical Storm Nolo holds, expected to turn northward, Hawaii County under hurricane watch

News admin September 24, 2026 0 Comments

Tropical Storm Nolo holds, expected to turn northward, Hawaii County under hurricane watch

HONOLULU (HawaiiNewsNow) – Tropical Storm Nolo continues to hold steady and is expected to turn northward Thursday. Its forecasted track will bring it close to Hawaii Island Friday into Saturday.

A Hurricane Watch has been issued for Hawaii County. This means that hurricane conditions are possible within the next 48 hours.

The National Hurricane Center said at 8 p.m. Wednesday, Nolo was centered about 295 miles south of South Point, or 480 miles south-southeast. It was moving to the west at 7 miles per hour with maximum sustained winds of 45 miles per hour. Tropical storm force winds extend outward 80 miles from the center.

The tropical storm is forecast to become a hurricane Thursday and then strengthen further into a major hurricane this weekend.

Nolo’s forward speed will decrease for the next day or so, followed by a sharp turn to the north or north-northeast on Thursday. The current track has it continuing in this direction in Friday, and it it will approach Hawaii Island Friday into Saturday, potentially as a major hurricane.

Potential threats

WIND: Hurricane conditions are possible in the watch area starting as early as Friday night.

Hurricane conditions with winds of 74 miles per hour or stronger are possible on Hawaii Island. Residents and visitors should prepare for life-threatening winds of category 1 or 2 hurricane force, or 74 to 100 miles per hour.

RAIN: Tropical Storm Nolo will produce rainfall totals of 15 to 20 inches across Hawaii Island with maximum amounts of 35 inches. This rainfall may produce catastrophic life-threatening flooding and mudslides, especially in areas of steep terrain. This includes areas on Hawaii Island that were already heavily damaged by flooding from Hurricane Lala in August.

The island of Maui can expect rainfall totals of 5 to 10 inches with maximum amounts of 20 inches. Life-threatening flooding and mudslides possible across Maui, especially in areas of high terrain.

Across the rest of the state, rainfall amounts of 1 to 3 inches with maximum totals of 6 inches will be possible and could cause localized flooding.

STORM SURGE: The combination of a dangerous storm surge and the tide will cause normally dry areas near the coast to be flooded by rising waters moving inland from the shoreline. The water could reach the following heights above ground somewhere in the indicated areas if the peak surge occurs at the time of high tide: Hawaii County 1 to 3 ft.

Weather Alerts

A Hurricane Watch has been issued for Hawaii County.

A Flood Watch has been issued for the islands of Hawaii and Maui County from noon Wednesday through 6 p.m. Saturday, according to the National Weather Service forecast office in Honolulu.

Prepare now

The National Weather Service and your First Alert Weather Team say you should have effort to protect life and property underway now and to prepare for considerable wind damage.

Preparations should also be underway for heavy rainfall and catastrophic flash flooding.