Tropical Depression Two-C formed east-southeast of Hawaii on Thursday morning. At 11:00 a.m. EDT on Thursday the center of Tropical Depression Two-C was located at latitude 11.9°N and longitude 143.1°W which put the center about 960 miles (1545 km) east-southeast of Hilo, Hawaii. The tropical depression was moving toward the west-northwest at 16 m.p.h. (26 km/h). The maximum sustained wind speed was 35 m.p.h. (55 km/h) and there were wind gusts to 45 m.p.h. (75 km/h). The minimum surface pressure was 1006 mb.
A low pressure system over the Central North Pacific Ocean east-southeast of Hawaii strengthened on Thursday morning and the U.S. National Hurricane Center designated the system as Tropical Depression Two-C.
The distribution of thunderstorms in Tropical Depression Two-C was asymmetrical. Thunderstorms were occurring in bands in the western side of Tropical Depression Two-C. Bands in the eastern side of the tropical depression consisted primarily of showers and lower clouds. Storms near the center of circulation generated upper level divergence that pumped mass away to the west of the tropical depression. The removal of mass caused the surface pressure to start to decrease.
Tropical Depression Two-C will move through an environment that will be somewhat favorable for intensification during the next 24 hours. The tropical depression will move over water where the Sea Surface Temperatures are near 28°C. It will move under the southern part of an upper level ridge that is over the Eastern and Central North Pacific Ocean. The upper level ridge will produce easterly winds that will blow toward the top of Tropical Depression Two-C. Those winds will cause moderate vertical wind shear. The vertical wind shear will inhibit intensification but the wind shear will probably not be enough to prevent intensification. Tropical Depression Two-C is likely to intensify slowly during the next 24 hours.
Tropical Depression Two-C will move around the southern side of a high pressure system that is over the Central North Pacific Ocean. The high pressure system will steer the tropical depression toward the west-northwest during the next 24 hours. On its anticipated track, Tropical Depression Two-C will move closer to Hawaii.
Elsewhere over the Central Pacific Ocean, Hurricane Lala was nearing the Papahanaumokuakea Marine National Monument. At 11:00 a.m. EDT on Thursday the center of Hurricane Lala was located at latitude 24.2°N and longitude 172.2°W which put the center about 175 miles (280 km) southeast of Lisianski Island. Lala was moving toward the north-northwest at 9 m.p.h. (15 km/h). The maximum sustained wind speed was 100 m.p.h. (160 km/h) and there were wind gusts to 120 m.p.h. (195 km/h). The minimum surface pressure was 969 mb.
A Hurricane Warning is in effect for the Papahanaumokuakea Marine National Monument from Lisianski Island to Maro Reef.
A Tropical Storm Warning is in effect for the Papahanaumokuakea Marine National Monument from Maro Reef to French Frigate Shoals.