Olaf now a major hurricane

Subscribe Now Choose a package that suits your preferences.
Start Free Account Get access to 7 premium stories every month for FREE!
Already a Subscriber? Current print subscriber? Activate your complimentary Digital account.

Olaf has strengthened to a major hurricane with sustained winds reaching 130 mph.

Olaf has strengthened to a major hurricane with sustained winds reaching 130 mph.

The category 4 hurricane was located 1,325 miles east/southeast of Hilo on Monday morning.

Olaf is the sixth major hurricane to form in the east North Pacific this year and is expected to cross into the central Pacific region tonight.

The five-day forecast shows it moving west/northwest before heading north. It’s not yet clear if it will impact the Big Island.

Hurricane-force winds extend up to 30 miles from the center. Tropical storm force winds extend out up to 140 miles.

Wind speeds are forecast to decrease to below 110 mph by Saturday.