Tropical Storm Erick barrels towards Hawaii

Winds will strengthen into major hurricane, experts say

The storm is expected to strengthen into a hurricane on Monday (National hurricane centre)

Tropical Storm Erick is strengthening into a hurricane as it moves towards Hawaii.

The US National Hurricane Center said the storm was moving westwards across the eastern Pacific.

On Sunday Erick was about 1,560 miles east-southeast of Hawaii and had maximum wind speeds of 65 mph.

A centre spokesperson said the storm could grow into a major hurricane on Tuesday.

But Erick is expected to lose strength on Wednesday and gradually weaken back into a tropical storm before passing near the Hawaiian islands.

The state is expected to see increased rainfall due to Erick but it is unclear if the storm will make landfall there.

Last year Tropical Storm Lane brought more rain to the state than any similar event from the previous 68 years.

A second tropical depression is currently southwest of Mexico and is expected to become a tropical storm named Flossie later on Monday.

Additional reporting by agencies