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Central Pacific Hurricane Center
Hurricane Iona is predicted for 5-day trajectory.
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Central Pacific Hurricane Center
Tropical Storm Keli's 5-day forecast track.
Hurricane Iona has rapidly strengthened overnight and entered Category 3 hurricanes south of the Hawaiian Islands, and is expected to reach Category 4 intensity later today, forecasters said.
Iona is located about 765 miles south of Honolulu, approaching constant winds at 125 mph and moving westward at 13 mph, according to data from the Central Pacific Hurricane Center.
Forecasters said the wind direction of the hurricane stretched to 25 miles from the center, while the wind direction of the tropical wind stretched to 80 miles outward.
Today, there may be some additional reinforcement today before Wednesday begins to weaken stabilization. Iona is expected to turn slightly to the northwest and northwest later this week, but is still south of the island.
Meanwhile, Tropical Storm Keli continued to track the West, with little change in power.
At 5 a.m., Keli was about 895 miles southeast of Honolulu, with maximum sustained winds approaching 40 mph and higher gusts. The system moves westward at 13 mph and is expected to maintain strength and orientation for the next 48 hours.
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Neither Iona nor Keli poses no threat to Hawaii at this time, and no coastal watches or warnings are in effect, forecasters said.
The National Weather Service said locally that as the high-pressure system is established north of the state, trade winds will strengthen in the next few days to moderate to local breezes. Clouds and showers will prefer windward and maukka areas, especially overnight, in the early morning, due to a stable, drier air quality positioned on the island on weekends.