KAILUA-KONA — Tropical Storm Lane is forecast to continue strengthening as it tracks westward toward the Central Pacific.
The cyclone, which developed early Wednesday, was circulating 50 mph winds as it headed west at 13 mph, according to the National Hurricane Center. As of 5 p.m. Wednesday, Lane was located 2,060 miles east-southeast of Hilo.
Forecasters expect the storm to continue strengthening over the next few days as it continues to head westward through warm waters before making a turn toward the west-northwest on Friday.
Lane is forecast to become a hurricane today and could become a major hurricane by Saturday. Based on current models, it could become a category-4 hurricane like Hector.
By Monday evening, current forecast models have the storm located about 492 miles east of Hilo.