Hurricane Nolo Approaches Hawaii, Raising Flooding Concerns

Residents of Hawaii's Big Island are under a hurricane watch as Hurricane Nolo approaches the region. The National Hurricane Center (NHC) indicates that hurricane conditions could be experienced within the next 24 to 36 hours, with Nolo likely to become a major hurricane by then.

Although the storm is not expected to make landfall this weekend, its slow movement and heavy rainfall pose significant threats. Forecasters predict maximum rainfall amounts could exceed 2 feet in some areas, with widespread totals ranging from 10 to 25 inches. The NHC warned that this rainfall could lead to catastrophic flooding and mudslides, particularly in steep terrain.

As of Friday morning, Nolo had maximum sustained winds nearing 85 mph and was moving at a sluggish pace of 5 mph. The storm is currently tracking north-northeast but is expected to slow further before turning west and gaining speed over the weekend. Forecasts suggest that Nolo's winds could reach up to 140 mph within the next 72 hours, potentially classifying it as a Category 4 hurricane.

The heaviest rains are anticipated in the eastern and southern regions of the Big Island, while neighboring Maui is under a tropical storm watch and could receive up to 10 inches of rain. In response to the impending storm, Hawaii and Maui counties have opened shelters for residents and pets, and schools and government offices began closing on Thursday.

Nolo's trajectory has been unpredictable, shifting from a westward path to a direct approach toward the Big Island. This cyclone is part of an active hurricane season in the Pacific, influenced by a powerful El Niño phenomenon that is affecting global weather patterns. The region has already experienced three Category 5 hurricanes this season, including Genevieve, Lowell, and Polo, and Nolo follows closely after Hawaii dealt with the impacts of three significant storms in recent weeks.