Hurricane Nolo Grows to Category 3 in Remote Pacific, No Threat to Populated Islands

What Happened

Hurricane Nolo intensified to a Category 3 storm on Saturday, October 3, with maximum sustained winds of 115 mph (185 kph), the National Hurricane Center in Miami said. The system was about 210 miles (335 km) south‑southwest of Maro Reef and moving west at 17 mph (28 kph).

Warning

A tropical‑storm warning was issued for the Papahanaumokuakea Marine National Monument, covering the area from Maro Reef to Lisianski Island. The centre warned that large surf could flood some low‑lying atolls, though no populated islands faced any threat.

Forecast

Nolo is expected to cross the International Date Line on Sunday, October 4. The storm had brushed Hawaii a week earlier, weakened to a tropical storm, then regained hurricane strength on Friday, October 2. Meanwhile, Category 1 Hurricane Rachel continued westward, staying away from Mexico’s coast. The centre forecast dangerous swells for west‑central Mexico and the Baja California Peninsula through the weekend and into Monday, October 5.

Context

Papahanaumokuakea is a remote, federally protected marine area with many reefs and atolls, making surf impacts a concern even when no land is threatened. Pacific hurricanes often move westward and can cross the date line, exiting the U.S. monitoring zone.