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

Forecasters expect Hilda to continue to increase in strength over the next 48 hours.

Hilda was about 875 miles east-southeast of Hilo last night.

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 service urges the public to be alert for continuing updates on the progress of the storm.