Hurricane Lane Turns Northwest, Warning Issued for Oahu

Hurricane Lane turned toward the northwest on Wednesday night and a Hurricane Warning was issued for Oahu.  At 11:00 p.m. EDT on Wednesday the center of Hurricane Lane was located at latitude 15.9°N and longitude 156.5°W which put it about 385 miles (620 km) south-southeast of Honolulu, Hawaii.  Lane was moving toward the northwest at 8 m.p.h. (13 km/h).  The maximum sustained wind speed was 145 m.p.h. (230 km/h) and there were wind gusts to 170 m.p.h. (275 km/h).  The minimum surface pressure was 939 mb.

Hurricane Warnings were in effect for Oahu, Hawaii County and Maui County including the islands of Maui, Lanai, Molokai and Kahoolawe.  Hurricane Watches were in effect for Kauai County including Kauai and Nihhau.

Hurricane Lane weakened slightly on Wednesday but it remained a powerful hurricane.  There was a small eye at the center of circulation.  The eye was surrounded by a ring of strong thunderstorms and the strongest winds were occurring in that ring of storms.  Several bands of showers and thunderstorms were revolving around the core of Hurricane Lane.  Winds to hurricane force extended out about 40 miles (65 km) from the center of circulation.  Winds to tropical storm force extended out about 140 miles (225 km) from the center.

The environment around Hurricane Lane will gradually become less favorable for a powerful hurricane.  Lane will move over water where the Sea Surface Temperature is near 28°C.  An upper level trough west of Hawaii will produce southwesterly winds which will cause more vertical wind shear.  Hurricane Lane will gradually weaken, but it could remain a major hurricane for another 36 hours.

The upper level trough will turn Hurricane Lane more toward the north-northwest.  On its anticipated track the center of Hurricane Lane will move closer to Hawaii.  The center of Lane will be southwest of the Big Island of Hawaii in about 24 hours.  The center of Lane could be south of Oahu on Friday.  Even if the center of Hurricane Lane does not pass over any of the islands, wind blowing up the slopes of the mountains will contribute to locally heavy rain and the potential for flash floods.