Hurricane Kiko, escalating to a Category 4 storm, is set to batter Hawaii with winds of nearly 110 mph.
The tempest was located approximately 1,665 miles east of Hilo at 5 a.m. on Wednesday, moving at a speed of 7 mph, according to the National Hurricane Center in Miami.
The hurricane is predicted to gain further strength over the next two days. The news comes as the Met Office issues a thunderstorm warning to 64 UK locations, advises preparation.
Forecasters have yet to determine the potential impact of Kiko on Hawaii. No coastal watches or warnings have been issued by weather agencies so far.
The National Weather Service in Honolulu anticipates that the island state’s weather pattern will remain stable through the weekend, reports the Mirror US.
As Kiko nears Hawaii early next week, it could bring easterly swells to shores that reach advisory levels. A coastal flooding statement is in effect for all Hawaiian islands through Sunday afternoon due to peak monthly high tides and elevated water levels in low-lying areas.
Residents are advised to avoid driving on flooded roadways, secure boats, and move electronics and vehicles to higher ground.
AccuWeather reports suggest that Kiko is likely to make landfall on Tuesday evening, Sept. 9.
Kiko, the 11th named storm of the Pacific’s 2025 season, which spans from 15 May to 30 November, is on the horizon. Earlier this year, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) forecasted a quieter than usual hurricane season in the Pacific.
Spaghetti models, which amalgamate predictions from various weather programmes, have outlined potential trajectories for Kiko in the upcoming days. If the lines are closely clustered, it indicates a high probability of the storm following that path due to consensus among most models.
However, if the lines diverge significantly, the prediction becomes less certain.
The spaghetti model for Kiko’s approach towards Hawaii shows lines tightly packed along a route that could see the storm hitting the islands early next week.