Tropical Depression One-C formed south of Hawaii in the Central Pacific Ocean late Saturday night local time. Officials expect the system to strengthen into a tropical storm by Sunday.
A tropical depression is defined by maximum sustained winds of 38 mph or less and is identified by numbers rather than names, unlike tropical storms and hurricanes. Currently, the depression is situated more than 1,000 miles southeast of Honolulu and is moving westward at 12 mph.
Forecasters predict the system will continue on its westward path for the next several days. Winds near the center are around 35 mph with stronger gusts. As the storm gains strength, it is expected to be upgraded to Tropical Storm Iona on Sunday.