Hurricane Nolo Strengthens to Category 2, Track Shifts South of Big Island

Hurricane Nolo strengthened to a Category 2 storm Friday morning as it continues toward Hawaii, though its forecast track has shifted farther south of the Big Island than earlier feared, even as forecasters still expect it to become a major hurricane by the weekend.

Nolo Now a Hurricane, Track Trends Farther From the Islands

The Central Pacific Hurricane Center (CPHC) said Nolo's maximum sustained winds reached 105 mph Friday morning, up from 85 mph in the previous advisory, based on data from an Air Force Reserve Hurricane Hunter aircraft. The storm was centered about 185 miles south of South Point and 380 miles south-southeast of Honolulu, crawling north-northeast at just 5 mph.

Forecasters now expect the storm's center to remain well south of the main Hawaiian Islands as it turns west-northwest and west through the weekend, a meaningful shift from earlier forecasts that had Nolo passing closer to the Big Island. Nolo is still forecast to strengthen into a major Category 3 hurricane by Friday night around its closest approach, with some forecasts showing winds potentially reaching 140 mph, Category 4 strength, over the following days as it moves further from the islands.

A Tropical Storm Warning is now in effect for Hawaii County, meaning tropical storm conditions are expected within 36 hours, alongside the Hurricane Watch that remains in place. A Tropical Storm Watch has been added for Maui County, including Maui, Molokai, Lanai and Kahoolawe. A Flood Watch covers both Hawaii and Maui counties through 6 p.m. Saturday, and a High Surf Advisory is in effect for east-facing shores of Molokai, Maui and Hawaii Island.

Schools Close, Shelters Open as Big Island Braces for Impact

Schools and government offices began closing Thursday in preparation for the storm, and shelters have opened for people and pets in Hawaii and Maui counties. Wind gusts were already topping 30 mph in parts of the Big Island and wind-prone areas of Maui County, Oahu and Kauai as of Friday morning.

Rainfall forecasts have been refined slightly: officials now say the Big Island could see 15 to 20 inches of rain, with maximum totals up to 35 inches, capable of producing catastrophic, life-threatening flooding and mudslides. Areas still recovering from Hurricane Lala's damage last month remain especially vulnerable.

Gov. Josh Green said Wednesday that Hawaii's four major disasters this year, the March Kona Low storms, the May Hawai'i Island earthquake, and hurricanes Lala and Lowell, have caused roughly $686 million in damages combined. Green said the state has identified another $319 million in proposed resilience and mitigation projects to strengthen infrastructure ahead of future storms.

What's Next

Nolo isn't the only storm active in the Pacific right now. Hurricane Odalys is growing over open water to the east, while the more powerful Hurricane Polo continues threatening Mexico's Baja California Sur, marking a rare stretch with three simultaneous hurricanes across the basin. The National Hurricane Center says now is the time to complete storm preparations in Hawaii, with conditions expected to deteriorate through Friday into Saturday as Nolo makes its closest approach.

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