Categorized | News, Weather

Hurricane Watch for Hawaii County as Madeline strengthens to Category 4 status

Hurricane Madeline

20160829-2300-madeline-track

A Hurricane Watch has been issued for Hawaii County

A Hurricane Watch means that hurricane conditions are possible within the watch area. A Hurricane Watch is typically issued 48 hours before the anticipated first occurrence of tropical storm force winds conditions that make outside preparations difficult or dangerous.

Interests elsewhere in the main Hawaiian Islands should monitor the progress of Madeline. Watches may be required for additional Hawaiian Islands later today or tonight.

At 11 p.m. HST Monday (Aug 29), the center of Hurricane Madeline was located about 515 miles (830 km) east of Hilo, Hawaii. Madeline is moving toward the west near 9 mph (15 km/h) and this motion is expected to become west southwesterly late Tuesday through late Wednesday. On the forecast track, the center of Madeline will pass dangerously close to the Big Island Wednesday and Wednesday night.

Maximum sustained winds are near 130 mph (215 km/h) with higher gusts. Madeline is a category 4 hurricane on the Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Wind Scale. Some weakening is forecast through late Wednesday.

Hurricane-force winds extend outward up to 30 miles (45 km) from the center and tropical-storm-force winds extend outward up to 125 miles (205 km).

The estimated minimum central pressure is 950 mb (28.06 inches).

Hazards affecting land

  • WIND: Winds to hurricane force are possible over Hawaii County on Wednesday.
  • SURF: Swells generated by Madeline are expected to reach the Hawaiian Islands over the next couple of days, possibly becoming damaging along some coastlines Wednesday and Thursday.
  • RAIN: Heavy rains associated with Madeline may reach Hawaii County on Wednesday, and may impact other Hawaiian Islands Wednesday night and Thursday.
Hurricane Madeline captured at 3 p.m. HST Sunday (Aug 28). NASA-NOAA's Suomi NPP satellite captured an image of Hurricane Madeline in the Central Pacific Ocean. Image courtesy of NASA Goddard Rapid Response Team

Hurricane Madeline captured at 3 p.m. HST Sunday (Aug 28). NASA-NOAA’s Suomi NPP satellite captured an image of Hurricane Madeline in the Central Pacific Ocean.
Image courtesy of NASA Goddard Rapid Response Team

Hurricane Lester

20160829-2300-lester-track

At 12 p.m. Sunday (Aug 28) NASA-NOAA's Suomi NPP satellite captured an image of Hurricane Lester in the Eastern Pacific Ocean. Photo via: NASA Goddard Rapid Response Team

At 12 p.m. Sunday (Aug 28) NASA-NOAA’s Suomi NPP satellite captured an image of Hurricane Lester in the Eastern Pacific Ocean. Photo via: NASA Goddard Rapid Response Team

At 11 p.m. HST Monday (Aug 29), the center of Hurricane Lester was located about 1435 miles (2,305 km) east of Hilo, Hawaii. Lester is moving toward the west near 14 mph (22 km/h), and this general motion is expected to continue for the next couple of days.

Maximum sustained winds have decreased to near 125 mph (205 km/h) with higher gusts. Lester is a category 3 hurricane on the Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Wind Scale. Some weakening is forecast during the next 48 hours.

Hurricane-force winds extend outward up to 35 miles (55 km) from the center and tropical-storm-force winds extend outward up to 90 miles (150 km).

The estimated minimum central pressure is 956 mb (28.23 inches).

National Weather Service Presentation on Hurricanes.

HELCO Reminds Customers to Prepare for Hurricane Season

In preparation for Hurricane Madeline, the public is advised to be StormReady

  • Build or restock your emergency preparedness kit.
  • Include a flashlight with fresh batteries, cash, first aid supplies, and any medication or supplies specific to you or your family members.
  • Plan how to communicate with family members.
  • Create an evacuation plan for your household.
  • Bring in or secure outdoor furniture and other items that could blow away.
  • Keep your vehicle fueled and cell phone charged.
  • To help preserve water availability through the storm, the Department of Water Supply asks customers to minimize non-essential use of water, such as irrigation, at this time.

Find more StormReady tips and sign up for notifications at http://hawaiicounty.gov

For links to the latest weather forecasts, reports, radar and satellite imagery visit our Weather Page at hawaii247.com/weather

Central Pacific Infrared Images

Central Pacific Infrared Images

Leave a Reply

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

 

Quantcast