Tropical Storm Nolo has formed in the Pacific Ocean, and Hawaii’s Big Island is now under hurricane watch. The National Hurricane Center issued the warning Wednesday, as Nolo moves closer to the islands with winds expected to grow far stronger by the weekend.
Nolo currently holds maximum sustained winds of 45 mph, according to the center’s Wednesday evening update. It is traveling west-northwest, but a sharp turn to the north and north-northeast is expected Thursday. That change in direction could push the storm toward the Big Island either Friday or Saturday.
What Nolo Could Become
The hurricane center expects Nolo to become a hurricane sometime Thursday. By the weekend, it could reach major hurricane strength, defined as Category 3 or higher with winds of at least 111 mph.
The exact path remains uncertain. The center warns that the heavy rain could trigger “catastrophic life-threatening flooding and mudslides, especially in areas of steep terrain.”
Rainfall Projections
The rainfall numbers are staggering. The Big Island could see around 15 to 20 inches of rain, with up to 35 inches possible in some areas. Maui faces a similar threat, with 5 to 10 inches expected and totals of up to 20 inches in some spots.
The rest of the islands are forecast to receive about 1 to 3 inches of rain, with isolated flooding possible. But the heaviest totals are concentrated on the Big Island and Maui, where the steep terrain amplifies the danger.
The Flooding Warning
The hurricane center’s language is blunt. The rain could trigger “catastrophic life-threatening flooding and mudslides.” The warning applies specifically to areas of steep terrain, which means the worst impacts may hit the island’s mountainous regions first.
This is not the first time Hawaii has faced this kind of threat. Earlier this month, Hurricane Lowell brought damaging winds and heavy rain to the western Hawaiian islands of Kauai and Niihau. The storm brought down trees, damaged roads and knocked out power for thousands of residents.
Last month, Hurricane Lala caused even more severe damage. That storm washed away about 100 homes, triggered landslides and caused widespread power outages as it brushed past Hawaii.
The Two Storms
Nolo is not the only system in the region. Another hurricane, Polo, continues to swirl farther east in the Pacific, off Mexico’s southwestern coast.
The combination of two storms in the same basin adds to an unusually active season in the Pacific.
A Season of Storms
The islands have already faced two significant storms this year, and now a third is on the way. The sequence of events paints a picture of an exceptionally busy season.
- Hurricane Lowell brought damaging winds and heavy rain to Kauai and Niihau earlier this month, knocking out power for thousands.
- Hurricane Lala washed away about 100 homes and triggered landslides last month as it brushed past Hawaii.
- Now Tropical Storm Nolo is approaching the Big Island, with the potential to become a major hurricane by the weekend.
The pattern suggests the region is seeing more tropical activity than usual, though the source does not confirm a record-breaking season.
What Comes Next
The next few days will determine whether Nolo becomes the major hurricane the models suggest. The storm’s path could still shift, and the exact timing of its arrival on the Big Island remains unclear.
For now, the watch stands. Residents in affected areas should prepare for heavy rain, flooding and the possibility of mudslides in steep terrain. The warnings from the hurricane center are serious, and the potential consequences are severe.
The hurricane center’s warning is clear. The danger is real, and it is closing in.
See the video the story is built around at CBS News.
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