Hurricane Douglas Prompts Hurricane Warning for Oahu

The approach of Hurricane Douglas prompted the issuance of a Hurricane Warning for Oahu on Saturday afternoon.  At 5:00 p.m. EDT on Saturday the center of Hurricane Douglas was located at latitude 19.5°N and 150.1°W which put it about 325 miles (525 km) east of Hilo, Hawaii.  Douglas was moving toward the west-northwest at 18 m.p.h. (30 km/h).  The maximum sustained wind speed was 90 m.p.h. (150 km/h) and there were wind gusts to 110 m.p.h. (175 km/h).  The minimum surface pressure was 984 mb.

A Hurricane Warning was in effect for Oahu.  Hurricane Watches were in effect for Hawaii, Maui, Lanai, Molokai and Kahoolawe.  Tropical Storm Warnings were in effect for Hawaii, Maui, Lanai, Molokai and Kahoolawe.  Tropical Storm Watches were in effect for Kauai and Niihau.

Hurricane Douglas weakened gradually on Saturday as it moved over cooler water.  Douglas was moving over water where the Sea Surface Temperature was near 25°C.  As a result of the cooler water, thunderstorms did not grow as high in the atmosphere.  There was still an eye at the center of circulation, but breaks began to appear in the ring of storms around the eye.  Most of the stronger thunderstorms were in the northern half of the circulation.  Bands in the southern half of the circulation consisted mainly of showers and lower clouds.   Winds to hurricane force extended out about 30 miles (50 km) from the center of circulation.  Winds to tropical storm force extended out about 110 miles (175 km) from the center.

Hurricane Douglas will move around the southern side of a subtropical high pressure system over the North Pacific Ocean.  The high will steer Douglas toward the west-northwest during the next several days.  On its anticipated track Hurricane Douglas will pass north of the Big Island of Hawaii on Sunday morning.  The core of Douglas could pass near Oahu on Sunday night.

Hurricane Douglas will bring gusty winds to the Hawaiian Islands.  The strongest winds could occur on Oahu.  Winds speeds will be greater at higher elevations.  Douglas could drop heavy rain on the sides of the islands where the wind blows up the slopes.  Flash flooding will be possible.