Tropical Storm Iona is forming in the central part of the Pacific Ocean

• The storm Iona does not pose a threat to Hawaii.
• The maximum wind speed of the storm is expected to reach 40 miles per hour.
• Iona is the first named storm of the season in the region.

Tropical Storm Iona is forming in the central part of the Pacific Ocean and continues to move westward over warm waters, far to the south of Hawaii.

The National Hurricane Center in Miami reported that Iona developed over the weekend from a tropical depression that was located approximately 960 miles (1545 kilometers) to the southeast of Honolulu. It is expected that the storm will strengthen in the coming days, but for now, it does not pose a threat to Hawaii. No nearby warnings or advisories have been issued.

The system achieved tropical storm status with maximum wind speeds near 40 miles per hour (64 kilometers per hour). It is moving in a general westward direction at a speed of about 10 miles per hour (16 kilometers per hour).

Iona is the first named storm of the hurricane season in the central Pacific Ocean.

Tags: Weather