Nolo nearly stationary south of Hawaiʻi Island, forecast to strengthen and remain well south of islands

(Update: 11 p.m., Friday, Sept. 25 2026) Hurricane Nolo is still nearly stationary south of Hawaiʻi Island. The system is expected to strengthen during the next couple of days while remaining south of the Hawaiian Islands.

At 11 p.m. HST, the center of Hurricane Nolo was located about 145 miles S of South Point on Hawaiʻi Island and 350 miles SSE of Honolulu, Oʻahu. A westward motion with increasing forward speed is forecast Saturday and Sunday. A turn toward the northwest and north-northwest is expected on Monday. On the forecast track, the center of Nolo will remain well south and southwest of the main Hawaiian Islands.

Maximum sustained winds are near 105 mph with higher gusts. Nolo is forecast to strengthen into a major hurricane on Saturday and peak in intensity by late Sunday. Weakening is expected on Monday. Hurricane-force winds extend outward up to 45 miles from the center and tropical-storm-force winds extend outward up to 140 miles.

A Hurricane Watch is in effect for Hawaiʻi County; and a Tropical Storm Warning is in effect for Hawaii County, A Tropical Storm Watch is in effect for Maui County.

WIND: Tropical storm conditions are occurring in portions of the warning area in areas of steep terrain. Hurricane conditions are possible Saturday morning. Tropical storm conditions are possible in the tropical storm watch area beginning on Saturday. Gusts to tropical storm force are occurring in Maui County in areas of steep terrain. Regardless of the exact track of Nolo, strong and gusty winds are possible for all of the Hawaiian Islands through the weekend.

RAINFALL: For the eastern and southern portions of the Big Island, Nolo will produce rainfall totals of 8 to 12 inches with maximum amounts of 16 inches. This rainfall could produce significant, life-threatening flooding and mudslides, especially in areas of steep terrain.

For the western portions of the Big Island, rainfall totals of 1 to 3 inches with maximum amounts of 6 inches are expected. For eastern Maui, rainfall totals of 4 to 6 inches with maximum amounts of 8 inches are expected. Life-threatening flooding and mudslides are possible, especially in areas of high terrain.

Across the remainder of the Hawaiian Islands, maximum rainfall totals of 1 to 2 inches are expected.

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 and 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 affecting exposed east- and south-facing shores of the Big Island and are expected to spread westward and build through the weekend. These swells are likely to cause life-threatening surf and rip current conditions. Please consult products from your local weather office.