Nolo becomes Category 3 Hurricane in remote Pacific Ocean
Hurricane Nolo has intensified into a Category 3 storm in the remote Pacific Ocean, moving away from populated areas. While it poses no threat to major islands, it is expected to cause dangerous surf and inundation in low-lying atolls.
Why it matters
Monitoring remote storm activity is critical for maritime safety and the protection of sensitive ecological zones.
Nolo strengthened into a major hurricane on Saturday (October 3, 2026) far out in the Pacific Ocean, well to the west of Hawaii’s main islands.
The storm’s maximum sustained winds rapidly intensified to 115 mph (185 kph), the Miami-based National Hurricane Center reported, meaning it was a Category 3 hurricane.
Nolo was located about 210 miles (335 kilometres) south-southwest of Maro Reef and moving westward at 17 mph (28 kph).
A tropical storm warning was issued for the Papahanaumokuakea Marine National Monument — a massive and remote federally protected area with islands, atolls, seamounts, shoals and coral reefs — from Maro Reef to Lisianski Island.
The hurricane centre said large surf associated with Nolo “will likely inundate some of the low-lying atolls.”
No threat was in the forecast for any populated islands, however.
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