Olaf Strengthens into Hurricane

By: Jamilia Epping

Tropical Storm Olaf strengthened in to a hurricane late Saturday night, making Hurricane Olaf the eleventh hurricane of the Eastern Pacific season.

As of 5 a.m., the National Hurricane Center reported that Hurricane Olaf was located about 1,620 miles east-southeast of Hilo. The storm was circulating maximum sustained winds up to 80 miles per hour as it traveled in a west direction at 12 mph.

National Hurricane Center image, as of 5 a.m.

NHC forecasters say that Hurricane Olaf is expected to continue to move along its current path through Sunday, with a west-northwest turn expected by early Monday.

In addition, Hurricane Olaf’s wind speeds are forecast to continue to strengthen over the next 48 hours, with the potential to become a major hurricane by late Monday.

According to the Central Pacific Hurricane Center, Hurricane Olaf should reach the center’s area of jurisdiction on Tuesday.

Big Island Now will continue to follow Hurricane Olaf.