Tropical Storm Henriette Hurricane Tracker, Update: Heading Towards Hawaii Islands This Weekend, ‘Gil’ Also Strengthens Southeast Of Honolulu

Tropical storm Henriette became hurricane Henriette early Tuesday in the Pacific Ocean. The hurricane may be heading towards Hawaii and its islands later this weekend, while tropical storm Gil strengthens near Honolulu.

Hurricane Henreitte's maximum sustained winds early Tuesday are near 75 mph (120 kph) with additional strengthening possible during the day, AP reports. The hurricane is centered about 1,630 miles (2,625 kilometers) east-southeast of the Hawaiian islands and is moving west-northwest near 10 mph (17 kph).

Weather.com reports that Henriette is expected to track toward the northwest, then turn west over the next five days.  No land areas appear to be in the path of the hurricane, but Weather.com notes that a brush with the Hawaiian Islands cannot be ruled out. This would occur late Sunday evening or Monday morning, local time.

It is also likely that more stable air and cooler water will weaken Henriette starting later Wednesday or Thursday, Weather.com reports.  

Meanwhile, Tropical Storm Gil is strengthening in the Pacific as well, about 1,245 miles (2,000 kilometers) east-southeast of Honolulu and is moving west near 9 mph (15 kph). Gil's maximum sustained winds are near 40 mph (65 kph). The U.S. National Hurricane Center says gradual strengthening is expected during the next two days, The Christian Science Monitor reports.

Last week, Hawaii was hit by tropical storm Flossie, which caused flash floods and power outages in Oahu and Maui. AccuWeather.com reports that it would be a "rare occurrence" for two tropical storms or hurricanes to reach Hawaii in a year - the last time this occurred since 1950 was in 1982.

Weather.com reports that this has been an active season in the Eastern Pacific for tropical storms and hurricanes. On average, there are only three Eastern Pacific hurricanes by the first week of August; the sixth hurricane on this side of North America doesn't arrive, on average, until September 9. However, tropical storm Gil is number seven.