Julio Strengthens Into Hurricane In Pacific

Hurricane Julio

HONOLULU — The National Hurricane Center is classifying Hurricane Julio as a Category 1 storm, with winds of about 75 mph.

Lixion Avlia of the Miami-based center said Wednesday that the system was swirling about 1,650 miles east of Hilo and is on course to pass north of the Hawaii islands in three to four days. But, Avlia says it’s too early to predict its actual path.

Hurricane Julio is just behind Hurricane Iselle, which could bring heavy rains, high surf and strong winds to Hawaii’s Big Island on Thursday.

Other Hawaii islands could also get a lashing from the system, and much of the archipelago is under a tropical storm watch or warning.

Hawaii residents were stocking up on essentials Wednesday ahead of the expected one-two