 Despite a well-defined atmospheric circulation, Gil was still a tropical depression when it entered Central Pacific Hurricane Center's (CPHC) warning zone on August 1. The circulation gradually became better defined moved as the low moved west-northwest over a pool of slightly warmer waters west of 140th meridian west; later that day, the CPHC reportedly re-upgraded Gil into a tropical storm. Meanwhile, the storm was forecast to pass north of the U.S. State of Hawaii. Gil accelerated while approaching the Hawaiian Island group. On August 2, Gil was situated roughly 300 mi (485 km) east of the island chain. Gil re-strengthened slightly; on August 3, the tropical cyclone reached its secondary peak wind speed of 45 mph (70 km / h). Late on August 4, Tropical Storm Gil made its closest approach to Oahu, passing 20 mi (30 km) north of Kahuku Point.
