Tropical Depression Two-C strengthened this morning and has become Tropical Storm Moke (pronounced Mo-kay).

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Now packing maximum sustained winds of 45 mph with locally higher gusts, the storm is forecast to bring heavy rainfall and gusty winds to the Big Island this weekend and potentially into early next week.

At 11 a.m. today, Moke was centered about 660 miles southeast of Hilo, traveling to the west-northwest at 9 mph. Tropical-storm-force winds extend outward up to 70 miles from the center of the storm.

Moke is expected to produce rainfall totals of 5 to 10 inches with maximum amounts of 15 inches across the Big Island.

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“This rainfall may produce life-threatening flooding and mudslides for the windward and southeast Big Island, especially in steep terrain and over areas that were affected recently by (Hurricane) Lala,” forecaster John Cangialosi of the National Hurricane Center in Miami noted. “Swells generated by the storm are expected to affect portions of the Hawaiian Islands this weekend and into early next week. These swells may cause life-threatening surf and rip current conditions.”

As of late Friday morning, there were about 10,000 Big Island customers still without power in the wake of Lala, according to Hawaiian Electric Co., as the electric utility works to restore power to as many as possible, while weather conditions allow.

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This story will be updated.