Tropical Storm Lala Could Be Hurricane By Time It Hits Hawaii’s Big Island

Winds were blowing at around 50 miles (80 kilometers) per hour, with even stronger gusts.

Hawaii’s largest power company warned utility customers across the state on Friday to prepare for power outages that could last for days as a rapidly strengthening tropical storm approaches the islands.

Tropical Storm Lala continues to track through the central Pacific Ocean and is forecast to strengthen into a hurricane

Forecasters expect steady strengthening, with the system likely to become a hurricane before reaching the Big Island on Saturday.