Hurricane Kiko Strengthens Into Category 4

Hurricane Kiko strengthened into a Category 4 storm late Wednesday (September 3) night, according to an advisory from the National Hurricane Center via USA TODAY.

Kiko was reported to be centered 1,560 miles east of Hilo, Hawaii, at 11:00 p.m. ET, with maximum sustained winds near 145 MPH with higher gusts, though forecasters said little additional strengthening was expected. The hurricane is expected to continue moving westward on Thursday (September 4) before turning toward the west-northwest.

Hurricane-force winds were reported to extend outward up to 25 miles from where the storm is centered, with tropical storm-force winds extending outward at up to 80 miles, though the center is projecting no impacts to land over the next few days, despite remaining a hurricane through at least next Monday (September 8).

Hawaii is expected to be impacted by the middle of next week, with residents and visitors advised of flooding downpours that could result in mudslides and gusty winds.

"Kiko is forecast to intensify into a major hurricane later this week as it continues tracking west toward Hawaii," said Alex DaSilva, AccuWeather lead hurricane expert, via USA TODAY. "The storm is expected to lose wind intensity over the weekend. If Kiko continues advancing toward Hawaii, it could bring some wind and rain impacts to the islands next week.”

Hurricane Lorena was also reported to be located about 120 miles south-southwest of Cabo San Lucas, Mexico, with maximum sustained winds of about 75 MPH with higher gusts on September 3, according to the National Hurricane Center. The storm strengthened through Wednesday night, but is expected to rapidly weaken on Thursday and revert to a tropical storm on Friday (September 5).