HONOLULU (AP) — Tropical Storm Hone formed in the central Pacific Ocean on Thursday on a forecast track that may pass near Hawaii’s Big Island, while major Hurricane Gilma remained a Category 3 storm at sea.
Hone had maximum sustained winds of 40 mph (65 kph) and its center was about 1,090 miles (1,760 kilometers) east-southeast of Honolulu, the Central Pacific Hurricane Center said in an 11 a.m. warning. It was located about 885 miles (1,430 kilometers) east-southeast of Hilo, Hawaii.
Meteorologists said Hawaii residents should monitor the storm’s path. Hone’s center could pass near or south of the Big Island this weekend. The system was moving west-northwest at 14 mph (22 kph).
Meanwhile, Hurricane Gilma remained a major hurricane with maximum sustained winds of 205 km/h, making it a Category 3 storm.
Gilma followed Hone, which is located about 1,975 miles (3,185 kilometers) east of Hilo and moving west-northwest at 7 mph (11 kph). It is forecast to remain a strong hurricane for the next few days but could weaken over the weekend, forecasters said.
There were no coast watches or warnings issued for Gilma. The system strengthened into a tropical storm on Sunday and has been gaining strength since then.
The National Hurricane Center in Miami reported that hurricane-force winds extended up to 35 miles (56 kilometers) from the center of Gilma and tropical storm-force winds extended up to 115 miles (185 kilometers).
