Honolulu — Tropical Storm Hoon formed in the central Pacific Ocean on Thursday on a path expected to pass near the Big Island of Hawaii, while Hurricane Gilma remained a Category 3 storm at sea.
The Pacific Hurricane Center said in an advisory issued at 11 a.m. that Hurricane Hoon had maximum sustained winds of 40 mph (65 kph) and was centered about 1,090 miles (1,760 kilometers) east-southeast of Honolulu. It was about 885 miles (1,430 kilometers) east-southeast of Hilo, Hawaii.
Forecasters said Hawaiian interests should monitor the storm’s progress. The center of Huon could pass near or south of the Big Island this week. The system was moving west-northwest at 14 mph (22 kph).
Meanwhile, Hurricane Gilma remained a major hurricane with maximum sustained winds of 125 mph (205 km/h). That makes it a Category 3 storm.
Gilma was tracking Hon, which is located about 1,980 miles (3,185 kilometers) east of Hilo and moving west-northwest at 7 mph (11 kph). It is expected to remain Strong hurricane Over the next few days, but could begin to weaken over the weekend, meteorologists said.
There were no coastal warnings or watches in effect for Gilma. It has been strengthened to tropical storm status. Sunday and has been getting stronger since then.
The National Hurricane Center in Miami said hurricane-force winds extended up to 35 miles (56 kilometers) from Gilma’s center, and tropical storm-force winds extended out to 115 miles (185 kilometers).
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