Hawaii on watch as Hurricane Lane approaches main islands

The Government of Canada has released a travel advisory for Hawaii County and Maui County due to Hurricane Lane, which has been upgraded to a Category 4 storm, with winds reaching up to 150 miles per hour.

READ MORE: How to travel safe during hurricane season

How serious is it?

On their website, the Government of Canada suggests individuals avoid non-essential travel to both islands, including the islands of Maui, Lanai, Molokai and Kahoolawe.

Avoid non-essential travel to #Hawaii County and #Maui County, including the islands of Maui, #Lanai, #Molokai and #Kahoolawe due to Hurricane #Lane. https://t.co/k7eJr7v0Qj #UnitedStates

— travel.gc.ca (@TravelGoC) August 21, 2018

At approximately 11:20 AM (EST), the National Weather Service issued a Hurricane Local Statement in Hawaii and reported that Hurricane Lane was "about 430 miles south-southeast of Hilo or about 460 miles south-southeast of Kailua-Kona - 14.1N 152.3W - Storm Intensity 150 mph - Movement West or 275 degrees at 12 mph."

Currently, the website reports that Hurricane Lane "is expected to turn inwards towards the main Hawaiian islands later this week."

What is a Category 4 hurricane?

By definition, a Category 4 hurricane describes a severe storm, the second most dangerous by clasification on the Saffir–Simpson hurricane wind scale, and one that reaches wind speeds that range from 130–156 mph (209–251 km/h).

Some of the most dangerous Category 4 hurricanes to recently affect travel to the U.S. include Hurricane Harvey and Hurricane Jose, both in 2017.

For the most recent updates, follow along on the National Weather Service's website.

The Hawaii Tourism Authority has also created a special alert page on its website to provide industry partners, residents and visitors with information, updates and online resources about Hurricane Lane and its effects on the Hawaiian Islands. The page can be found here.