Tropical Storm Ana expected to strengthen to hurricane, hit Hawaii

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

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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.

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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.

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