The core of the circulation of Olaf consolidated on Sunday and the National Hurricane Center upgraded it to a hurricane.  At 11:00 a.m. EDT on Sunday the center of Hurricane Olaf was located at latitude 9.5°N and longitude 133.2°W which put it about 1620 miles (2610 km) east-southeast of Hilo, Hawaii.  Olaf was moving toward the west at 12 m.p.h. (19 km/h).  The maximum sustained wind speed was 80 m.p.h. (130 km/h) and there were wind gusts to 95 m.p.h. (155 km/h).  The minimum surface pressure was 989 mb.

The circulation of Hurricane Olaf consists of a small core of thunderstorms around the center of circulation and a primary rainband that spirals around the western and southern sides of the hurricane.  The core of thunderstorms is producing some upper level divergence, but upper level winds are inhibiting the outflow on the western side of the center.

Hurricane Olaf is moving over water where the Sea Surface Temperature is near 30°C and there is plenty of energy in the upper ocean to support intensification.  However, an upper level trough north of Olaf is producing westerly winds which are blowing over the top of the hurricane.  The upper level winds are blocking upper level outflow on the western side of Olaf and the vertical wind shear is inhibiting the intensification of Olaf.  If the wind shear decreases, then further intensification will be possible.

A subtropical ridge is steering Hurricane Olaf toward the west and that general motion is expected to continue for another day or two.  When Olaf reaches the western end of the ridge, it will start to turn more toward the north.