Karmactive Staff
Hook
Tropical Storm Nolo shifted northward toward the Hawaiian Islands on Wednesday, putting the Big Island under a hurricane watch. The National Hurricane Center reports sustained winds near 50 mph. Residents and visitors across Hawaii County should check the latest Central Pacific Hurricane Center advisory — the storm’s track and intensity can change quickly, and forecasts posted hours ago may already be outdated.
Core Facts
Tropical Storm Nolo formed in the Central Pacific and moved west-northwestward before turning northward toward Hawaii. Maximum sustained winds stand at approximately 50 mph. The Central Pacific Hurricane Center issued a hurricane watch for Hawaii County, which covers the Big Island. Earlier advisories documented the storm’s gradual strengthening as it tracked across the open Pacific. A hurricane watch means hurricane-force conditions are possible in the watch area; watches are generally issued about 48 hours before the anticipated onset of tropical-storm-force winds.
Consequence
Residents on the Big Island should act now, not after the next advisory. That means securing outdoor items that could become projectiles in high winds, stocking water, food and medications for at least 72 hours, and charging phones and battery banks while power is still stable. The storm is south of Hawaii at the time of writing, but tropical systems can intensify rapidly over warm open water. The track may still shift — follow the official Central Pacific Hurricane Center advisories, not third-party summaries, for the controlling forecast.
NOAA’s local statement described Nolo moving northward in the direction of the Big Island at the time the watch was issued. The official forecast also shows the storm expected to make a westward turn later in the weekend, which could affect how close it passes to the islands — the Central Pacific Hurricane Center’s latest advisory is the controlling source for track updates.
Kauai, Oahu and Maui are outside the current watch area, but may see elevated surf and some rainfall depending on how the track evolves. Hawaii County Civil Defense is the official source for local evacuation and shelter-in-place guidance.
What should Hawaii residents do right now?
Check the Central Pacific Hurricane Center for the latest advisory on Nolo. Prepare emergency supplies covering at least 72 hours. Secure anything outdoors. Follow Hawaii County Civil Defense instructions for your area. Do not wait for a formal warning — a hurricane watch means conditions are possible, and preparations should start now.
Closure
The Central Pacific Hurricane Center updates Nolo advisories regularly and more frequently as the storm approaches land. This article will be updated with each significant change to the track, intensity or watch area. The official forecast, not this article, is the controlling source for safety decisions.
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