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Tropical Storm Nolo strengthens south of Hawaii
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Forecast rainfall drops substantially while Hawaii County warnings remain
Forecasters reduced expected rainfall for eastern and southern Hawaii Island to 8–12 inches, with isolated totals of 16 inches, down from the 15–30 inches and isolated 35 inches cited in an earlier update. At 11 p.m. HST Friday, Category 2 Hurricane Nolo remained nearly stationary about 145 miles south of South Point, with sustained winds of 105 mph. Its forecast center remains well south and southwest of the main islands, but Hawaii County’s hurricane watch and tropical-storm warning remain in effect.
Winds reach 105 mph as the hurricane stalls south of the Big Island
Hurricane Nolo strengthened to Category 2, with sustained winds of 105 mph at 8 p.m. HST Friday, while nearly stationary about 150 miles south-southeast of South Point. The forecast keeps its center south of the main Hawaiian Islands. Tropical-storm conditions were already occurring on elevated parts of the Big Island, where a hurricane watch remained in effect. Forecasters expect substantial rainfall, coastal flooding and damaging waves, although the storm’s intensity outlook remains uncertain.
Hurricane Nolo Forecast Discussion Number 22 · Hurricane Nolo Intermediate Advisory Number 21A
Reconnaissance measures stronger winds as heavy rain approaches the Big Island
Hurricane Nolo’s sustained winds increased from 75 to 85 mph by 2 a.m. HST Friday, Air Force reconnaissance found. Its eye was about 220 miles south of South Point, moving north-northeast at 5 mph. The official forecast keeps the center well south of the main Hawaiian Islands, but tropical-storm conditions are expected in Hawaii County Friday night and hurricane conditions remain possible early Saturday. Eastern and southern parts of the Big Island could receive 15–30 inches of rain, with isolated totals of 35 inches, creating a severe risk of flash flooding and mudslides.
Aircraft reconnaissance confirms hurricane-strength winds
Aircraft reconnaissance found that Nolo had strengthened into a Category 1 hurricane, with sustained winds of 75 mph at 5 p.m. HST Thursday. Its center was about 270 miles south of South Point, moving north-northeast at 5 mph. Hawaii County remained under a tropical-storm warning and hurricane watch, while Maui County remained under a tropical-storm watch. Forecasters expected tropical-storm conditions on the Big Island by late Friday, with hurricane conditions possible early Saturday.
First Alert Forecast: Nolo is now a Hurricane · Hurricane Nolo Advisory Number 18
Hawaii County receives a tropical-storm warning as Nolo reaches 70 mph
A tropical-storm warning was issued for Hawaii County as Nolo’s sustained winds increased to 70 mph. The county remained under a hurricane watch, while Maui County received a tropical-storm watch. The National Weather Service placed Nolo about 340 miles south-southwest of Hilo, moving north at 2 mph. Its forecast track had shifted slightly south, but remained uncertain; rain, wind and rough surf can extend well beyond the storm’s center.
Winds reach 60 mph while Hawaii County remains under a hurricane watch
Tropical Storm Nolo’s sustained winds increased to 60 mph while it remained nearly stationary about 285 miles south of South Point, Hawaii. A hurricane watch remained in effect for Hawaii County, where hurricane conditions were possible beginning Friday night. Heavy rain could reach the Big Island later Thursday. Forecasters expected Nolo to begin moving north or north-northeast, but its eventual track near the island—and therefore the location and severity of its effects—remained uncertain.
Tropical Storm Nolo Advisory Number 16 · Tropical Storm Nolo Local Statement Advisory Number 16