Olaf strengthens to major hurricane, still far offshore
It was expected to strengthen further Monday night and fluctuate in intensity Tuesday
MIAMI (AFP) - Hurricane Olaf strengthened into a major hurricane Monday as it churned far offshore in the central eastern Pacific, US forecasters said.
The National Hurricane Center (NHC) said Olaf had maximum sustained winds of 115 miles (185 kilometers) per hour, bumping it up to major hurricane status.
At 1500 GMT, the Category 3 storm was located some 1,345 miles east-southeast of Hilo, Hawaii, moving west at 14 miles per hour, the Miami-based NHC said.
It was expected to strengthen further Monday night and fluctuate in intensity Tuesday, as it takes a west-northwestern turn.
There were no coastal watches or warnings in effect.