HONOLULU (KHON2) — Tropical Storm Hone continues moving westward toward the Hawaiian islands but the forward speed is expected to gradually slow.
The maximum sustained winds are near 50 mph, with tropical-storm-force winds extending out up to 115 miles from the center while “some strengthening is forecast during the next 48 to 72 hours.”
The CPHC said sea surface temperatures “will be sufficient for intensification, possibly to hurricane strength, later in the weekend.”
Hurricane hunters located Hone about 520 miles east southeast of Hilo.
Hawaii County remains under a tropical storm watch, which means that tropical storm conditions could reach the area within 48 hours.
“There is the potential for excessive rainfall and flash flooding on portions of the Big Island.”
The storm is forecast to pass near or south of the Big Island Saturday night into Sunday.