Hurricane Nolo

On September 8, the National Hurricane Center (NHC) began monitoring an area of interest well south of the Baja California peninsula. Two days later, a broad low-pressure area developed, and the system began to become better organized despite moderate wind shear. On September 13 at 21:00 UTC, the consolidating low formed into Tropical Depression Fifteen-E.^[1] Unfavorable wind shear eventually overtook the tropical depression, causing it to open up into a trough early on September 16.^[2] However, the NHC continued to monitor the system for potential regeneration.^[3] Early on September 23, the remains of the system regenerated into a tropical depression in the central Pacific.^[4] Late that day, it became a tropical storm and was assigned the name Nolo.^[5] At 3:00 UTC on September 25, Nolo strengthened into a Category 1 hurricane as it moved north-northwestward.^[6] It continued steadily strengthening, becoming a Category 2 hurricane late that day.^[7] Dry air intrusions caused Nolo to weaken back into a Category 1 hurricane on September 26 as it passed south of Hawaii's Big Island, moving westward.^[8] It restrengthened into a high-end Category 2 hurricane on September 27, continuing its westward movement.^[9] By 09:00 UTC on September 28, Nolo had become an annular hurricane, rapidly intensifying to Category 4 strength as a ridge began steering it west-northwestward.^[10] As shear and dry air began impacting the system, it made a hard left turn and started heading East. At this point, Nolo further weakened to tropical storm status due to strong southwesterly vertical wind shear and dry air entering its circulation.^[11] By 03:00 UTC on October 2, Nolo began becoming better organized as it was moving into a more favorable environment, however its structure was still lacking across its center with drier air prevailing.^[12] At 21:00 UTC Nolo re-strengthened into a Category 1 hurricane as its structure began improving.^[13] Located about 105 miles (165 km) west-southwest of French Frigate Shoals and moving west at 6 mph (9 km/h), Nolo prompted a tropical storm warning for the Papahānaumokuākea Marine National Monument from French Frigate Shoals to Lisianski Island, including Maro Reef, with forecasters noting that rapid intensification was possible over the following day.^[14] Later that evening, satellite imagery showed continued improvement in convective organization, with Dvorak estimates leading forecasters to raise Nolo's intensity to 75 knots (86 mph).^[15] Nolo continued to rapidly intensify overnight, and by 15:00 UTC on October 3 it had maximum sustained winds of 110 mph (175 km/h) while located about 160 miles (255 km) south-southwest of Maro Reef, with the NHC forecasting that it would become a major hurricane later that day.^[16] Just three hours later, at 18:00 UTC, Nolo reached Category 3 major hurricane strength with maximum sustained winds of 115 mph (185 km/h) and a minimum central pressure of 959 mbar (28.32 inHg).^[17]

A hurricane watch was issued late on September 23 for Hawaiʻi County in anticipation of Nolo's impacts.^[18] This was followed by a tropical storm warning the next day.^[19] Governor Josh Green declared a state of emergency for the state.^[20] United States President Donald Trump approved a federal disaster declaration for Hawaii as a result of Nolo and several other hurricane impacts on the state.^[21] The state also provided hotel rooms for some in affected areas to evacuate to.^[22] Hawaiʻi County schools and offices closed.^[22] Both Haleakalā National Park and Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park closed in advance of the hurricane.^[23][24]

Flooding from Nolo's heavy rains forced the closure of the Kohala Mountain Road. Spencer Beach Park recorded 17.25 in (438 mm) of rain.^[25] Over 16,000 people lost power in Hawaii as Nolo approached.^[26] Roads in North Kohala and ʻŌʻōkala were closed due to flooding and landslides. Gulches created by flooding from Hurricane Lala were filled by rainfall from Nolo, flooding Route 11 and several other roads in Kaʻū.^[27] A maximum wind gust of 88 mph (142 km/h) was recorded in Olowalu.^[28] The Hōlei Sea Arch at Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park collapsed during the passage of Nolo following weathering from previous storms and volcanic eruptions.^[29]

Several towns on the Big Island were put under water restrictions after the hurricane passed.^[30]

• Weather of 2026
• Tropical cyclones in 2026
• Hurricane Lane (2018) – took a similar approach towards the Hawaiian islands before sharply turning away