Hurricane Nolo, a zig-zagging storm, threatens Hawaii with flooding rains - npr.org

The National Hurricane Center says hurricane conditions are possible within 24 to 36 hours as Nolo tracks across the Pacific toward the Hawaiian archipelago. It's not expected to make landfall this weekend, but forecasters say it has two dangerous traits working together, slow movement and heavy rain.

Most areas in the storm's path could see 10 to 25 inches of rain. For people on the Big Island, the threat isn't wind speed alone. A slow-crawling system means rain keeps falling on the same ground for longer, which is often what turns a tropical storm into a flooding disaster.

Low-lying areas and anywhere prone to runoff face the biggest risk as Nolo lingers offshore. Even without a direct hit on land, that kind of rainfall spread over days can overwhelm drainage and swell rivers fast.

Forecasters expect the storm to strengthen into a major hurricane by the time the watch window closes, even as it stays offshore and out of striking distance for now.