Tropical Storm Gil continues to strengthen in the Pacific Ocean and is expected to reach hurricane status soon, while Iona is expected to remain in tropical storm status before gradually weakening.
In an advisory issued at 11 p.m. Hawaiian Standard Time on Thursday, July 31, the National Hurricane Center said Gil is located about 870 miles southwest of the southern tip of the Baja California peninsula and moving toward the west-northwest.
Gil has maximum sustained winds near 65 mph with higher gusts and further strengthening is forecast, with Gil expected to become a hurricane on Friday, Aug. 1, NHC forecasters said.
Iona, meanwhile, is located about 1,190 miles west-southwest of Honolulu, Hawaii with maximum sustained winds near 45 mph with higher gusts. The storm is moving toward the west-northwest and this motion is expected to continue over the next couple of days with a gradual decrease in forward speed.
"Little change in strength is forecast during the next day or two," the hurricane center said of Iona, adding that "gradual weakening is forecast to begin on Sunday."
