Ocean temperatures are at near-record highs, which could allow storms to rapidly intensify if they enter the Gulf.

Republican Sen. Ted Budd blasted FEMA for “stonewalling” funds to his state to recover from Hurricane Helene and said that he plans to use his leverage in the chamber to stall Department of Homeland Security nominees until the issue is addressed.

Forecasters warned that swells from Hurricane Kiko could reach the Hawaiian Islands by the end of the weekend and cause life-threatening surf and rip currents.

Forecasters say Hurricane Kiko has weakened into a tropical storm but still could create life-threatening surf and rip currents in Hawaii

The lull is unusual for this time of year. “Only two hurricane seasons in the modern record — 1992 and 1968 — went the two weeks leading up to the traditional hurricane season peak without an active named storm," said Michael Lowry, a hurricane specialist for a Miami news station in a post on X.

As of early Monday evening, Hurricane Kiko was a Category 1 hurricane, losing intensity but gaining in both size and forward speed.

The National Hurricane Center is monitoring a tropical wave off the coast of Africa. Will it impact North Carolina? See location