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Tropical Storm Ana expected to strengthen to hurricane, hit Hawaii

Tropical storm Ana, seen here southeast of Hawaii, is expected to strengthen into a hurricane as it nears the Big Island. NASA/EOSDIS

HONOLULU – Tropical Storm Ana is forecast to strengthen to a hurricane this week as it moves toward the southern edge of Hawaii’s Big Island, which was hit by a destructive tropical storm two months ago.

National Weather Service meteorologist Chris Brenchley says Ana is expected to become a Category 1 hurricane — the lowest level, with winds of 119 km/h to 153 km/h — on Wednesday morning.

READ MORE: Hurricane Gonzalo heads toward Bermuda

The storm is forecast to clip the Big Island on Saturday afternoon. It is expected to pass about 112 km south of Maui the next morning.

The forecast path of Tropical Storm Ana takes it off the coast of Hawaii by early Saturday. Global News

The Big Island’s Puna district suffered power outages and downed trees after being hit by Tropical Storm Iselle in August. A slow-moving lava flow there also is threatening to hit communities and a major road.

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The storm has a Hawaiian name because it originated in the central north Pacific.

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