Hurricane Nolo Peaks Near Category 5 South of Hawaii
Hurricane Nolo Peaks Near Category 5 South of Hawaii
US · Published Sep 30, 2026
• Hurricane Nolo rapidly intensified to near Category 5 strength south of Hawaii between September 26 and 27, 2026, before weakening as it moved into cooler waters.
• According to the Cooperative Institute for Meteorological Satellite Studies (CIMSS), Nolo's intensification was fueled by sea surface temperatures 1-2°C (1.8-3.6°F) above normal, influenced by this year’s El Niño.

Impact & Risks

Hurricane Nolo caused flash flooding, tropical-storm-level wind gusts, and heavy surf along the southern coasts of some Hawaiian islands. While the storm has weakened, its earlier impacts disrupted local communities and posed risks to coastal infrastructure. The elevated sea surface temperatures south of Hawaii, linked to El Niño, contributed to Nolo's rapid intensification, highlighting the potential for future storms to develop similarly under such conditions.

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