A newly formed tropical depression could reach hurricane strength by Saturday morning as it moves closer to Hawaii.
A newly formed tropical depression could reach hurricane strength by Saturday morning as it moves closer to Hawaii.
For now, forecasters are expecting minimal impact to the Big Island, though that can change if it takes a turn to the north sooner than expected.
“At least with the current forecast, the Big Island is on the far right side of the risk area,” said National Weather Service meteorologist Robert Ballard.
Tropical Depression 3C was 685 miles south/southeast of Hilo as of 11 a.m. Thursday. It had maximum sustained winds of 35 mph and was moving west at 16 mph.
The timing of its northward turn will depend on when a mid-level ridge to the west weakens. The current forecast has it veering closer to Kauai.
Ballard said the Big Island could see some heavy rains this weekend even if it stays out of the storm’s direct path.
The chance of tropical storm force winds is between 4 and 7 percent. High surf is possible.
The storm is the sixth tropical cyclone to form in the Central North Pacific basin this year. Between five and eight were expected to form.
Email Tom Callis at tcallis@hawaiitribune-herald.com.