Tropical Storm Warning issued for Hawaiʻi County as Nolo nears hurricane strength

(Update: 2 p.m., 9.24.26) A Tropical Storm Warning has been issued for Hawaiʻi County as Nolo nears hurricane strength. At 2 p.m., the center of Tropical Storm Nolo was located about 285 miles S of South Point on Hawaiʻi Island, and 460 miles SSE of Honolulu, near latitude 14.9 North, longitude 156.1 West. Nolo is moving toward the north at a very slow pace, near 3 mph. A faster motion to the north or north-northeast is expected later today through Friday, followed by a sharp westward turn on Saturday in the vicinity of the Big Island.

A Hurricane Watch is now in effect for Hawaiʻi County, meaning that hurricane conditions are possible within the watch area.

Maximum sustained winds are near 70 mph with higher gusts. Nolo is forecast to become a hurricane by tonight and a major hurricane by this weekend. Tropical-storm-force winds extend outward up to 90 miles from the center.

A Tropical Storm Watch has been issued for Maui County, including the islands of Maui, Lānaʻi, Molokaʻi and Kahoʻolawe. Interests elsewhere in the Hawaiian Islands should closely monitor
the progress of this system as additional watches or warnings could be required.

WIND: Tropical storm conditions are expected to begin by late Friday in the warning area, with hurricane conditions possible by early Saturday. Tropical storm conditions are possible in the tropical storm watch area beginning on Saturday.

RAINFALL: For the Big Island, Nolo will produce rainfall totals of 15 to 30 inches with maximum amounts of 35 inches. This rainfall could produce catastrophic life-threatening flooding and mudslides, especially in areas of steep terrain. For Maui, rainfall totals of 5 to 10 inches with maximum amounts of 20 inches are expected. Life-threatening flooding and mudslides are possible, especially in areas of high terrain. Across the remainder of the Hawaiian Islands, rainfall totals of 1 to 3 inches with maximum amounts of 6 inches are expected with isolated flooding possible.

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). The deepest water will occur along the immediate coast near and to the right of the landfall location, where the surge will be accompanied by large and dangerous waves. Surge-related flooding depends on the relative timing of the surge and the tidal cycle, and can vary greatly over short distances. For information specific to your area, please see products issued by your local National Weather Service forecast office.

SURF: Swells generated by Nolo are expected to reach exposed east and south-facing shores of the Big Island by Friday, spreading westward and building through the weekend. These swells are likely to cause life-threatening surf and rip current conditions.