3 feet of rain? Hawaii hurricane forecast says Nolo threatens Hawaii

Key Points:

• Tropical Storm Nolo is approaching Hawaii and is expected to strengthen into a hurricane by Thursday night, potentially becoming a major hurricane by Saturday, bringing heavy rain, rough surf, and storm surge.
• The storm poses a significant flooding threat, with rainfall totals forecasted up to 35 inches on the Big Island and 20 inches on Maui, risking life-threatening floods and mudslides especially in steep terrain.
• In preparation, all state and county offices, public schools, and University of Hawai‘i facilities on the Big Island will close Thursday and Friday, with closures extending to Maui County on Friday to ensure public safety.
• The active 2026 Pacific hurricane season is influenced by an ongoing El Niño, which creates favorable conditions for storm formation in the Pacific, while suppressing activity in the Atlantic.
• Nolo is one of several storms currently tracked in the Pacific, alongside Hurricane Polo near Mexico and Hurricane Odalys further west, highlighting a busy hurricane season in the region.