Oho no longer predicted to become hurricane

Tropical Storm Oho failed to strengthen as predicted Sunday, and forecasters no longer believe the system will become a hurricane as it makes its way northeast before passing well to the southeast of the islands.

Located 365 miles south of the Big Island, Oho intensified slightly on Sunday afternoon, with 45 mph winds and tropical storm force winds extended out 65 miles from its center. A tropical storm warning for offshore waters around the archipelago was called off, however.

The meandering track of the storm and its strength have been difficult to predict. Meteorologists with the Central Pacific Hurricane Center expect Oho will gradually strengthen to 65 mph winds when it makes its closest approach at least 250 miles to the southeast of Hawaii Island on Tuesday.

Oho was tracking west-northwest at 7 mph through weak steering currents on Sunday. The storm appeared to make a turn to the northeast earlier than predicted on Sunday afternoon. The system is expected to pick up speed and maintain a general course in that direction through the week.

Sea temperatures have been around 84 degrees and the cyclone has experienced easterly wind shear around 17 mph. Conditions have been favorable for strengthening, but the increase in the cyclone’s energy has been only marginal. Increased shear and slightly lower sea temperatures along the forecast track are expected to limit Oho’s development.

Also in the Central North Pacific basin, an area of thunderstorms and low pressure 900 miles southeast of Hilo has not yet organized, but forecasters say the system could become a tropical cyclone as it tracks north over the next few days.