UPDATE: Tropical Storm Nora Forms in Eastern Pacific

***Updated at 5 p.m. to include information from the National Hurricane Center.***

The National Hurricane Center says Tropical Depression Eighteen-E has formed into Tropical Storm Nora, the 14^th tropical storm of the eastern North Pacific season.

Tropical Storm Nora was about 1,470 miles east south-east of South Point, as of 5 p.m, with maximum sustained winds of 40 miles per hour. The storm is expected to continue to strengthen over the next 48 hours, reaching hurricane status by late Sunday, according to NHC forecasters.

In addition, Tropical Storm Nora is moving in a western direction at 16 mph. Forecasters say that the motion is expected to continue through Sunday morning with a gradual reduction in forward speed. The storm is expected to turn west-northwest and decrease even more in forward speed by late Sunday.

Some forecast models show Tropical Storm Nora veering to the northeast sometime early next week, however, like with all storm models, predictions can change as the storm progresses.

The Central Pacific Hurricane Center notes that Tropical Storm Nora is expected to reach its area of responsibility by Saturday evening. Until then, NHC will continue to monitor the storm.

Stay with Big Island Now as we bring you the latest on Tropical Storm Nora.

***Original story posted at 9:37 a.m.***

Tropical Depression Eighteen-E has formed in the Eastern Pacific.

Central Pacific hurricane Center image, as of 7:30 a.m.

The National Hurricane Center is monitoring the storm, currently located 1,670 miles east-southeast of South Point.

Overnight, the area of low pressure became better organized with a curved banding that increased, along with a growing area of deep convection near its center.

TD Eighteen-E is the eighteenth storm in the eastern North Pacific this season.

As of 8 a.m., the cyclone was moving west at 14 miles per hour with maximum sustained winds of 35 mph.

NHC officials say TD Eighteen-E is in an environment for favorable strengthening conditions over the next handful of days, as low wind shear and warn waters are encountered.

A general western motion is expected to continue for the next two to three days, but beyond that, a mid-latitude trough erodes the ridge, causing the storm to potentially re-curve east of the state. However, like with all early tracks, predictions have the potential to change as the storm progresses.

The Central Pacific Hurricane Center expects that Tropical Depression Eighteen-E will cross over into the CPHC’s area of responsibility Saturday evening.