Hurricane Nolo grew stronger overnight as it continued its march toward the Big Island, where it is expected to bring damaging winds, dangerous surf and life-threatening flooding through the weekend.
At 5 a.m., Nolo was packing maximum sustained winds of 85 mph and centered about 210 miles south of South Point and 400 miles south-southeast of Honolulu. It was moving north-northeast at 5 mph. Hurricane-force winds extend outward up to 45 miles from Nola’s center and tropical-storm-force winds extend outward up to 115 miles, according to the Central Pacific Hurricane Center.
“A turn toward the west-northwest and west with an increase in forward speed is forecast Saturday and Sunday,” forecasters said. “On the forecast track, the center of Nolo will remain well south of the main Hawaiian Islands.”
A hurricane watch and tropical storm warning remain in effect for Hawaii County. A hurricane watch means hurricane conditions are possible within 24 to 36 hours, while a tropical storm warning means tropical storm conditions are expected within that period.
A tropical storm watch remains in effect for Maui County, where tropical storm conditions are possible beginning Saturday.
The Big Island is expected to see tropical storm conditions beginning tonight, with hurricane conditions possible by early Saturday, particularly in areas of steep terrain, according to the CPHC. Nolo is forecast to strengthen further and become a major hurricane this weekend.
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The National Weather Service said heavy rain is expected to increase across the Big Island today, with the greatest threat of flooding on windward and southeastern slopes. A flood watch remains in effect through Saturday afternoon for the Big Island, Maui, Lanai, Molokai and Kahoolawe.
Up to 10 to 15 inches of rain is forecast for the eastern and southern portions of the Big Island, with isolated amounts reaching 25 inches, the CPHC said. Western portions of the island could receive 2 to 4 inches, with localized amounts up to 8 inches.
The rainfall could cause catastrophic, life-threatening flash flooding and mudslides, particularly in steep terrain. The National Weather Service warned that additional rain could cause significant problems in southeastern areas of the Big Island that have already been saturated by recent rainfall.
Maui is forecast to receive 4 to 6 inches of rain, with isolated amounts up to 10 inches. The rest of the state could see 1 to 3 inches, with isolated amounts up to 6 inches and localized flooding possible.
The CPHC urged residents to complete preparations for heavy rain and flooding now and to follow instructions from local officials, including evacuation orders.
Nolo also is expected to bring dangerous coastal conditions. A storm surge — an abnormal rise in seawater pushed toward shore by a storm — could raise water levels 1 to 3 feet above ground along parts of the Big Island’s coast, particularly if the surge coincides with high tide.
Swells generated by Nolo are expected to reach exposed east- and south-facing shores of the Big Island today, spreading westward and building through the weekend. The waves could create life-threatening surf and strong rip currents.
A high surf advisory remains in effect for east- and southeast-facing shores of the Big Island, Maui and Molokai through 6 p.m. Saturday.
The National Weather Service also has a hurricane warning in effect for offshore waters beyond 40 nautical miles from the main Hawaiian Islands, extending out to 240 nautical miles. A small craft advisory remains in effect for waters around Kauai and Oahu, where strong winds and high seas are expected.
For Oahu, Kauai, Maui, Molokai and Lanai, today’s forecast calls for mostly cloudy and windy conditions, with scattered showers and isolated thunderstorms in windward and mauka areas. Leeward areas also could see showers and thunderstorms, with locally heavy rainfall possible. Highs will range from 84 to 89 degrees, with northeast winds of 20 to 35 mph and gusts up to 55 mph.
On the Big Island, conditions are expected to be very windy, with occasional showers and isolated thunderstorms in windward areas. Leeward areas can expect isolated morning showers and thunderstorms through the day, followed by scattered showers in the afternoon. Locally heavy rain is possible. Highs will range from 84 to 89 degrees, with east winds of 30 to 45 mph and gusts up to 65 mph.