HONOLULU ― After a near-miss with Hurricane Madeline, the Hawaiian Islands remain on high alert as another storm looms, potentially bringing hurricane conditions to the state over Labor Day weekend.

Hurricane Lester strengthened to a Category 3 storm Thursday, with 120 mph winds. The system was about 640 miles east of Hilo and 840 miles east of Honolulu at 2 p.m. Thursday. A hurricane watch was in effect for the Big Island, Maui County and the island of Oahu.

The storm continued to move west, and was predicted to weaken as it passes just north of the main Hawaiian islands on Saturday and Sunday, according to the Central Pacific Hurricane Center.

National Weather Service

If Lester remains on its current track, forecasters predict potential hurricane winds, high surf and heavy rains for the islands.

However, a minor change in Lester’s course could prove dire for the islands. “It would take only a small leftward shift in the track to directly and profoundly affect the state,” a Central Pacific Hurricane Center report reads.

Meanwhile, another storm is causing a major stir as it bears down on Florida’s Gulf Coast. Hurricane Hermine strengthened Thursday, with sustained winds reaching 75 mph. It is expected to make landfall late Thursday or early Friday, and would be the first hurricane to hit Florida in more than a decade.

Florida Gov. Rick Scott declared a state of emergency in 51 of the state’s 67 counties in advance of the storm, which he said could bring “life-threatening” conditions.

In order to stay safe during a major storm, follow National Weather Service hurricane safety guidelines: Prepare a disaster supply kit, have an evacuation plan and stay updated on current storm information.

This article has been updated to note Lester’s upgrade to a Category 3 hurricane and to show that a hurricane watch was issued for the island of Oahu.