Tropical Storm Julio strengthened into a category-1 hurricane in the Pacific Ocean on Wednesday, with winds of about 120 kilometers per hour (kph), the Miami-based National Hurricane Center (NHC) said. The Julio system was swirling about 2,650 kilometers east of Hilo, Hawaii and was on course to pass north of the Hawaiian islands in three or four days. Hurricane Julio is following Hurricane Iselle, which is expected to bring heavy rains, high surf, and strong winds to Hawaii's Big Island on Thursday. Other Hawaiian islands also could be affected by either or both hurricanes, with most of the U.S. state under a tropical-storm watch or warning.
