Tropical disturbance raises heavy rain risk in Hawaii

A tropical disturbance southeast of Hawaii was becoming better organized Wednesday, raising the risk of heavy rain and flooding across the islands as forecasters warned that its eventual path and strength remained uncertain. The National Hurricane Center gave the system a 70% chance of developing into a tropical cyclone within 48 hours and a 90% chance within seven days, according to a forecast cited in one report. The system is the remnants of Tropical Depression Fifteen-E. If it strengthens into a tropical storm, it would be named Nolo. It was several hundred miles southeast of the Hawaiian Islands, and forecasts described it moving slowly northwestward or west-northwestward. Forecasters said decreasing wind shear and other favorable conditions could support further development, but models showed a wide range of possible tracks and intensities. The National Weather Service office in Honolulu said deep tropical moisture and weak steering currents could bring prolonged heavy rain, particularly to windward and southeastern parts of the Big Island.