Tropical Storm Douglas forms far from Hawaii, no threat

Tropical Storm Douglas, the fourth named storm of the 2026 Eastern Pacific hurricane season, is churning over open waters far from land, posing no immediate threat to coastal areas or to Hawaii’s upcoming holiday weekend. The storm formed on Wednesday, July 1, and as of Thursday morning, July 2, its center was located approximately 1,175 miles west-southwest of the southern tip of Baja California, with maximum sustained winds of 40 mph.

The National Hurricane Center reported the storm is moving north at 6 mph, with a gradual turn to the northwest expected later Thursday night and into the weekend. Forecasters anticipate little change in strength Thursday before Douglas begins weakening overnight as it moves over cooler ocean waters and encounters increasing wind shear. The system is forecast to become a post-tropical remnant low on Friday and eventually dissipate entirely over the open Pacific. No coastal watches or warnings are in effect.

While the storm’s projected path has drawn attention because some forecast models show it approaching waters off the U.S. West Coast, the official forecast track keeps the center well offshore. Officials emphasize Douglas poses no direct...