Tropical Storm Hilda continued moving west at about 12 mph at 5 p.m. today and was gradually intensifying to maximum sustained winds near 60 mph, according to the National Weather Service.

Forecasters expect Hilda to continure to increase its strength over the next 48 hours.
Hilda was projected to be about 875 miles east-southeast of Hilo at 5 p.m..

The storm's projected track takes it hundreds of miles south of the main Hawaiian Islands — still classified as a tropical storm — when it approaches Thursday morning.

The Weather Services urges the public to be alert for continuing updates on the progress of the storm.