Weather officials track disturbance off Big Isle

Weather Service officials on Wednesday were continuing to monitor a tropical disturbance southeast of the state that could develop into a cyclone.

The Central Pacific Hurricane Center said the disturbance has a 60 percent chance of developing into a cyclone in the next five days.

The weather disturbance was about 750 miles southeast of Hilo and drifting northwest with winds of more than 28 mph, National Weather Service forecaster Sam Houston said Wednesday night.

Officials said the disturbance may take days to develop and could turn into a cyclone or fizzle out.

Officials said the tropical disturbance is typical for August and the season has not been nearly as busy as when there was El Nino weather two years ago.

The Central Pacific Hurricane Center said showers and thunderstorms associated with the broad weather disturbance remain disorganized.

“There are thunderstorms. They’re just not organized,” Houston said.

Houston said a cyclone requires certain characteristics, including a spiral type of structure and a consistency.