Hurricane Hilda intensified Saturday into what forecasters described as a “powerful” Category 4 storm with sustained winds of 135 mph on a path that could take it near or over Hawaii.

However, the storm is expected to weaken to a tropical storm as it approaches the islands Wednesday or Thursday.

The five-day forecast, which has a large margin of error, suggests the storm could hit Hawaii island and Maui if it takes a more southerly track.

“It is too early to determine what intensity, track or forecast trend Hilda will exhibit by the time it approaches the islands,” forecasters said. “Therefore, the best course of action is to remain informed about the progress of Hilda.”

At 5 p.m. Saturday, Hurricane Hilda was about 800 miles east-southeast of Hilo and a little more than 1,000 miles east-southeast of Honolulu.

The storm was traveling west-northwest at 12 mph, according to the Central Pacific Hurricane Center in Honolulu.

Hurricane-force winds extended 25 miles from the center and tropical storm-force winds outward of 125 miles.

“A small and fairly well-defined eye is now visible on the satellite imagery. Further strengthening over the next 12 hours is expected, then Hilda is expected to begin a weakening trend as she enters cooler water and an area of higher shear. After 72 hours, rapid weakening is likely to occur,” forecasters said Saturday morning.

The storm is projected to be a tropical storm northeast of the Big Island on Wednesday.

Surf generated by Hilda’s winds could reach the islands Tuesday or Wednesday.

Forecasters are expecting Hilda to slow and turn to the west-northwest, which should take it on a path north of the islands next week as it weakens, similar to former Hurricane Guillermo’s track over the past two weeks.

In May, the Central Pacific Hurricane Center predicted a busier-than-usual cyclone season, thanks in large part to a persistent El Nino, associated with warmer-than- normal sea surface temper- atures in the eastern tropical Pacific.