Tropical Storm Kiko, seen here in satellite imagery, was expected to strengthen into a hurricane Tuesday. Photo courtesy of National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
Sept. 2 (UPI) — Tropical Storm Kiko is expected to strengthen into a hurricane in the next 24 hours, forecasters said.
Tropical Storm Kiko was located about 1,880 miles east of Hilo, Hawaii, with maximum sustained winds of 65 mph, while moving west at 7 mph, according to the National Hurricane Center’s 5 p.m. HST update.
“Steady strengthening is forecast during the next couple of days, and Kiko is expected to become a hurricane by tonight,” the NHC said.
Tropical storm-force winds extend 45 miles from the storm’s eye.
The NHC predicts the storm system will continue on its westerly track on Tuesday and move away from North America.
There were no weather watches or warnings in effect.
“Despite somewhat drier mid-level conditions along its forecast track, the combination of light vertical wind shear, warm sea surface temperatures and Kiko’s small compact core should allow for strengthening in the short term,” the NHC forecast said during its 11 a.m. update on Monday.
The storm formed on Sunday, making it the 11th named storm in the Eastern North Pacific this year.