The Central Pacific Hurricane Center issued a Hurricane Warning for Hawaii County (i.e. the Big Island of Hawaii) as Hurricane Madeline moved steadily closer on Tuesday.  A Tropical Storm Watch has been issued for Maui County including Maui, Molokai and Lanai.

At 11:00 p.m. EDT on Tuesday the center of Hurricane Madeline was located at latitude 19.3°N and longitude 150.3°W which put it about 315 miles (505 km) east of Hilo, Hawaii.  Madeline was moving toward the west at 10 m.p.h. (16 km/h).  The maximum sustained wind speed was 110 m.p.h. (175 km/h) and there were wind gusts to 130 m.p.h. (210 km/h).  The minimum surface pressure was 972 mb.

A subtropical ridge has been steering Hurricane Madeline toward the west.  The ridge is expected to strengthen and steer Madeline more toward the west-southwest for the next day or two.  On its anticipated track Hurricane Madeline could approach the island of Hawaii in about 30 hours.

An upper level trough north of Hawaii has been producing westerly winds which are causing vertical wind shear.  The westerly winds are restricting the upper level divergence to the west of Hurricane Madeline.  However, thunderstorms in the core of the hurricane have strengthened periodically and reduced the impact of the wind shear.  The shear is expected to continue and Hurricane Madeline is forecast to slowly weaken.  However, Madeline is moving over water where the Sea Surface Temperature is near 27°C, and it could move over warmer water if it moves toward the west-southwest.

Madeline is expected to be a hurricane when it moves past the island of Hawaii.  On its anticipated track the greatest threat would be to the southern half of the island.  Madeline is a compact hurricane and winds to hurricane force only extend out about 25 miles (40 km) from the center.  Hurricane Madeline will be capable of causing localized serious wind damage.  It may also produce heavy rain and flash flooding, especially where the wind blows up the slopes.