UPDATE: 11 a.m.

A tropical storm watch remains in place for Hawaii County as a stronger Tropical Storm Hone continues to move westward toward the Hawaiian islands.

As of 11 a.m. Hone was about 520 miles east-southeast of Hilo, with maximum sustained winds of 50 mph and moving west at 16 mph.

Tropical-storm-force winds extend outward up to 115 miles from the center.

The westward motion is expected to continue over the next few days, with the forward speed gradually slowing.

Based on the current forecast track, the center of Hone is expected to pass near or south of Hawaii island Saturday night into early Sunday.

Hone is expected to bring strong winds, intense rainfall of 5 to 10 inches, with locally higher amounts, particularly to southeast and east-facing slopes, and swells strong enough to cause life-threatening surf and rip currents.

The National Weather Service of Honolulu has issued a tropical storm warning for waters around the Hawaiian islands, and a tropical storm watch for Hawaii island.

Winds could potentially reach between 39 to 57 mph, NWS said, and Naalehu and Pahala residents should be making efforts to protect property now.

Potential impacts include damage to porches, awnings, carports, sheds and unanchored mobile homes, plus large tree limbs breaking off. There could also be potentially hazardous driving conditions on bridges and other elevated roadways, plus scattered power and communication outages.

NWS has also issued a flood watch for Hawaii island, warning of the potential for flash flooding brought by Hone, starting Saturday afternoon.

Hurricane Gilma, meanwhile continues weakening as it moves westward toward Hawaii.

As of 11 a.m., Gilma was about 1,800 miles east of Hilo, with maximum sustained winds of 105 mph, moving west at 9 mph.

Hurricane-force winds extended outward up to 35 miles from the center and tropical-storm-force winds extended outward up to 115 miles.

Gilma is expected to remain a hurricane through much of the weekend but is forecast to continue weakening while traveling westward over the next few days.

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Hurricane Gilma continues to weaken as it moves across the Eastern Pacific, while Tropical Storm Hone is on a path that could bring wet and windy conditions to the Hawaiian islands by this weekend.

Tropical Storm Hone was located about 620 miles east-southeast of Hilo as of 5 a.m., with maximum sustained winds near 45 mph with higher gusts. The storm is moving westward at 16 mph and is expected to continue strengthening over the next few days.

Forecasters warn that Hone could bring heavy rain, damaging winds and large surf to the Hawaiian islands from Saturday through Monday.

Up to 4 to 8 inches of rainfall is possible along the windward side of the Hawaii island and 2 to 4 inches along the windward areas of the smaller islands.

A flood watch has been posted for Hawaii island from Saturday afternoon through Monday evening.

“Flood-prone roads and other low lying areas may be closed due to elevated runoff and overflowing streams,” the National Weather Service said. “Urban areas may receive more significant flooding and property damage due to rapid runoff.”

A tropical storm watch remains in effect for Hawaiian Ocean View Estates on Hawaii island. The watch area could see wind up to 39 to 57 mph.

Swells generated by the tropical storm are expected to reach the islands this weekend, likely causing “life-threatening surf and rip currents,” according to the CPHC.

Breezy tradewinds with windward and mauka showers should persist for today though, forecasters say.

Meanwhile, Gilma continues to churn over open waters, gradually losing strength but still packing a powerful punch. As of 5 a.m. today, the Category 3 hurricane was located about 1,855 miles east of Hilo, moving westward at 8 mph, according to the National Hurricane Center in Miami.

Gilma’s maximum sustained winds have decreased to 115 mph, with higher gusts, and further weakening is expected over the coming days. Despite this, the storm is forecast to remain a hurricane through much of the weekend. Hurricane-force winds extend up to 35 miles from Gilma’s center, with tropical-storm-force winds reaching out 115 miles.

The storm poses no immediate threat to land.