HONOLULU (HawaiiNewsNow) - Tropical Storm Ana is close to becoming a hurricane southeast of Hawaii as it continues on a track that takes it toward the islands this weekend.At 11 a.m. Wednesday, the Central Pacific Hurricane Center said the center of Ana was located 630 miles southeast of Hilo, or 840 miles east-southeast of Honolulu, with maximum sustained winds of 70 miles per hour with higher gusts. It was moving toward the west at 9 miles per hour. Ana is expected to make a gradual turn toward the northwest Wednesday night or Thursday and maintain this motion through Friday.Currently, tropical storm force winds extend outward up to 65 miles from the center of the storm.The center of Ana was located near latitude 14.3 north and longitude 147.4 west.Ana is expected to continue strengthening as it moves across an area with decreasing southeast wind shear and sufficiently warm sea surface temperatures and is forecast to become a hurricane by Wednesday. According to forecasters at the Central Pacific Hurricane Center, a hurricane watch may need to be issued for portions of the state on Wednesday evening.The track and intensity of the storm are still subject to change. There is a much higher degree of uncertainty on the fourth and fifth days; computer forecast models hint that a trough passing near the islands could weaken any wind currents steering the storm, while at the same time introducing some shear that could weaken the storm itself.Also keep in mind that you should pay more attention to the “cone of error” on forecast maps rather than the track itself. The center o the cyclone could end up anywhere within the cone, which covers a 200-mile radius in all directions on day 5.All told, with each new forecast it appears more likely that the islands will feel some effects from Ana, whether it comes in the form of stronger winds that could knock out power, to torrential flooding rains, storm surges and dangerous surf. It counts to be prepared now.