Two tropical storms formed over the Central Pacific Ocean on Friday.  At 5:00 p.m. EDT on Friday the center of Tropical Storm Kilo was located at latitude 13.0°N and longitude 153.3°W which put it about 480 miles (770 km) south-southeast of Hilo, Hawaii.  Kilo was moving toward the west-northwest at 16 m.p.h. (26 km/h).  The maximum sustained wind speed was 40 m.p.h. (65 km/h) and there were gusts to 50 m.p.h. (80 km/h).  The minimum surface pressure was 1004 mb.

At 5:00 p.m. EDT on Friday the center of Tropical Storm Loke was located at latitude 16.4°N and longitude 177.2°W which put it about 815 miles (1310 km) south of Midway Island.  Loke was moving toward the north at 6 m.p.h. (9 km/h).  The maximum sustained wind speed was 45 m.p.h. (75 km/h) and there were wind gusts to 55 m.p.h. (90 km/h).  The minimum surface pressure was 1000 mb.

Tropical Storm Kilo is not very well organized at the present time.  Strong easterly winds in the upper levels are blowing the tops off of the thunderstorms and the vertical wind shear is keeping Kilo from intensifying.  If the shear decreases as some numerical models forecast, then Kilo could intensify.  On the other hand, if the shear stays strong, then Kilo could weaken to a tropical depression.  If Kilo intensifies as some models suggest, then it could be pushed toward the western Hawaiian Islands.  However, if Kilo stays weaker, then winds lower in the atmosphere could steer more toward the west and keep it south of Hawaii.

Tropical Storm Loke is better organized, although most of the stronger thunderstorms are north of the center.  An upper level trough northwest of Loke could be creating some southwesterly winds around the tropical storm.  Although the vertical wind shear may be slowing the rate of intensification, Loke does appear to be getting stronger.  The upper level trough is expected to steer Loke toward the north and it could approach Midway Island in four or five days.  Loke could be a hurricane at that time.