With Hurricane Polo still a Pacific menace, Nolo arises as new Hawaii threat
Hawaii is on alert as Tropical Storm Nolo has formed in the eastern Pacific. A hurricane watch has already been issued for Hawaii’s Big Island, ahead of what is projected to be a major hurricane by this weekend
Hurricane Polo, now the second-most powerful hurricane ever recorded in the Pacific Ocean, remains a strong Category 4 storm and a threat to Mexico.
And now comes Tropical Storm Nolo, which is expected to become a hurricane soon and take a path towards Hawaii's Big Island for this weekend. It won't make landfall, but it will come close enough to bring torrential rainfall, flooding and strong winds.
DON'T MISS: From Hawaii to Halifax, why is this hurricane season so bizarre?
A hurricane watch a already been issued for Hawaii’s Big Island, ahead of what is expected to be major hurricane impacts this weekend.
Nolo expected to become a hurricane and impact Hawaii this weekend
Tropical Storm Nolo formed south of Hawaii on Wednesday, and is expected to strengthen into a hurricane late week as it moves northwards.
Rainfall from the outer bands will intensifiy Thursday into Friday with very heavy rain continuing through the weekend.
Its closest approach is expected on Saturday, just south of the Big Island of Hawaii.
At this time, the U.S. National Hurricane Center (NHC) forecasts Nolo to become a major, Category 3 hurricane.
Hurricane-force winds of 118 km/h or more will impact the southern half of the island, while tropical storm-force winds are likely in the north end.
Power outages are almost a certainty.
The biggest hazard will be the life-threatening flooding, especially on the southern and western coasts.
Rainfall totals of 500-750+ mm of are possible in the hardest-hit regions in the southeast of the Big Island. Meanwhile, 100-300 mm is possible in Maui.
Due to the high elevation of the islands, high runoff, mudslides, landslides and road washouts are all possible.
A developing high north of Hawaii will likely force Nolo to move west, so there is some uncertainty when the westward shift occurs. The sooner it occurs will help spare a direct hit.
Higher-than-normal rainfall impacts are expected from Nolo.
In August, Hurricane Lala became the first hurricane to directly hit the Big Island of Hawaii since accurate record-keeping began. The storm caused multiple deaths and more than $80 million in estimated in damages.
With flash flooding on the Big Island, approximately 600 mm of rain was reported in mountainous areas. Similar regions are at risk for impacts with Nolo.