UPDATE: Tropical Depression Four-E Forms in Eastern Pacific

***Updated at 11:55 p.m. to include updated information from the Central Pacific Hurricane Center.***

Tropical Depression Four-E is now 925 miles east of Hilo, according to the Central Pacific Hurricane Center’s 11 p.m. update Tuesday.

The newly formed storm system is moving northwest at 17 miles per hour and carrying maximum sustained winds at 35 mph.

Four-E is beginning to trend north of the islands, following the “cone of uncertainty” forecast model laid out by the National Weather Service Tuesday afternoon. Forecasters expect this storm to strengthen into a tropical storm and pass to the north of the island chain, but stress that it is still too early to accurately project its path.

***Updated at 8:20 p.m. to include updated information from the National Hurricane Center.***

Tropical Depression Four-E has moved into Central Pacific waters as it continues toward the island chain.

According to the National Hurricane Center’s 8 p.m. update, Four-E is located approximately 960 miles east-southeast of Hilo and moving to the west-northwest between 15-20 miles per hour.

Now that the storm has entered into Central Pacific territory, the Central Pacific Hurricane Center will take over the responsibility of monitoring the storm’s movements.

***Original story posted at 6:11 p.m.***

The National Hurricane Center has officially classified an organizing low-pressure system east-southeast of Hilo as Tropical Depression Four-E.

As of 5 p.m. Tuesday, Four-E is located 1,025 east-southeast of Hilo with maximum sustained winds of 35 miles per hour. The storm is moving to the west-northwest at 17 miles per hour.

Four-E officially formed in the Eastern Pacific and is the fourth storm to form in the area. The tropical depression is expected to continue to strengthen as it crosses into the Central Pacific, where it will fall under the watch of the Central Pacific Hurricane Center. From there, it could become the first tropical cyclone to impact the area.

According to the National Hurricane Center, Four-E is still expected to become a tropical storm either Tuesday night or Wednesday morning. Additional strengthening is expected over the next 48 hours.

Hawai’i County Civil Defense administrator Darryl Oliveira said late Tuesday afternoon that his agency is keeping in close communication with the National Weather Service and will issue updates as the storm moves closer to the islands.

Stay with Big Island Now for the latest updates.