Hurricane Iona forms southeast of Hawaii in Central Pacific
According to the National Hurricane Center, Iona is expected to strengthen over the next 48 hours before weakening by midweek. Meanwhile, Tropical Depression Two-C has formed right on the heels of Hurricane Iona, several hundred miles to the east.
Hurricane Iona and Tropical Depression Two-C form in Central Pacific Basin
Iona has formed well south of Hawaii on Sunday morning, its upgrade to hurricane Monday morning made it the first July hurricane in the Central Pacific Basin since Darby in 2022. Two more disturbances are on the heels of Iona, Tropical Depression Two-C and Invest 98E. Tropical Depression Two-C is forecasted to become Tropical Storm Keli by Tuesday. After Tuesday, Two-C or Keli will eventually quickly weaken as it encounters colder waters.
HONOLULU – Hurricane Iona formed southeast of Hawaii in the Central Pacific Ocean Monday morning after quickly strengthening from a tropical storm, which formed Sunday night.
The National Hurricane Center (NHC) said Iona's maximum sustained winds reached 75 mph, officially designating it as a hurricane.
Once a tropical storm’s winds reach 74 mph, it is called a hurricane and maintains the same name it had when it was a tropical storm.
Hurricane Iona is currently located about 895 miles southeast of Honolulu and is moving off to the west at 10 mph, with maximum sustained winds of 75 mph. That makes Iona a Category 1 hurricane.
According to the NHC, Iona is expected to strengthen over the next 48 hours before weakening by midweek.
It is the first hurricane in the Central Pacific Basin this season and the first July hurricane in the basin since Darby in 2022.
HURRICANE CATEGORIES EXPLAINED: CATEGORY 1 | CATEGORY 2 | CATEGORY 3 | CATEGORY 4 | CATEGORY 5
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The NHC said Hurricane Iona is expected to stay well south of the Hawaiian Islands.
Tropical Depression 2-C forms due east of Hurricane Iona
Meanwhile, Tropical Depression Two-C has formed right on the heels of Hurricane Iona, several hundred miles to the east.
A tropical depression is a tropical cyclone that has maximum sustained winds below 39 mph. Once a tropical depression forms, the NHC gives it a number based on its order of formation in the hurricane season.
WHAT'S THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN A TROPICAL DEPRESSION, TROPICAL STORM AND HURRICANE?
Tropical Depression Two-C currently has maximum sustained winds of 35 mph and is moving west at 13 mph.
Tropical Depression Two-C is forecast to become Tropical Storm Keli by Tuesday. After Tuesday, Two-C or Keli will eventually quickly weaken as it encounters colder waters.
It is also not expected to have any direct impacts on the Hawaiian Islands.