Hurricane Iona is seen in the Pacific Ocean in a satellite image captured at 3:10 p.m. EDT, July 28, 2025. NOAA/NESDIS/STAR GOES-West ...

MIAMI (AP) — Iona rapidly strengthened into a hurricane Monday morning in the central Pacific Ocean and is expected to continue trekking toward the west over warm, open waters well south of Hawaii.

The hurricane has maximum sustained winds of about 85 mph (137 kph). It was moving in a generally westward direction at about 13 mph (21 kph). A second weather system also formed.

This satellite image provided by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration shows Hurricane Iona forming in the central Pacific Ocean, Monday, July 28, 2025. NOAA via AP HONOLULU — Two ...

This satellite image provided by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) shows Hurricane Iona forming in the central Pacific Ocean, Monday, July 28, 2025. Uncredited - NOAA ...