Tag Archives: Hawaii

Tropical Storm Walaka Forms South of Hawaii

Tropical Storm Walaka formed south of Hawaii on Saturday afternoon.  At 5:00 p.m. EDT on Saturday the center of Tropical Storm Walaka was located at latitude 11.5°N and longitude 159.1°W which put it about 680 miles (1095 km) south of Honolulu, Hawaii.  Walaka was moving toward the west at 15 m.p.h. (24 km/h).  The maximum sustained wind speed was 40 m.p.h. (65 km/h) and there were wind gusts to 50 m.p.h. (80 km/h).  The minimum surface pressure was 1005 mb.

A distinct low level center of circulation formed within an area of thunderstorms south of Hawaii on Saturday and the Central Pacific Hurricane Center designated the system as Tropical Storm Walaka.  The circulation around Walaka was still organizing.  Most of the thunderstorms were developing in bands south and east of the center of circulation.  Bands north and west of the center consisted primarily of showers and lower clouds.  Storms south and east of the center were beginning to generate upper level divergence which was pumping mass away from the tropical storm.

Tropical Storm Walaka will be moving through an environment that will be favorable for intensification.  Walaka will move over water where the Sea Surface Temperature is near 29°C.  It will move through an area where the upper level winds are weak and there will be little vertical wind shear.  Tropical Storm Walaka will strengthen into a hurricane and it could intensify rapidly once the inner core is well organized around an eye.

Tropical Storm Walaka will move south of a subtropical high pressure system over the Central Pacific Ocean during the next two or three days.  The ridge will steer Walaka in a general westward direction.  On its anticipated track Tropical Storm Walaka will remain south of Hawaii.

Tropical Storm Olivia Nears Hawaii

Tropical Storm Olivia moved closer to Hawaii on Tuesday.  At 5:00 p.m. EDT on Tuesday the center of Tropical Storm Olivia was located at latitude 21.6°N and longitude 152.3°W which put it about 275 miles (440 km) east of Kahului, Hawaii.  Olivia was moving toward the west at 17 m.p.h. (28 km/h).  The maximum sustained wind speed was 60 m.p.h. (95 km/h) and there were wind gusts to 75 m.p.h. (120 km/h).  The minimum surface pressure was 1000 mb.

Tropical Storm Warnings were in effect for Oahu, Hawaii County, Maui County including Maui, Molokai, Lanai and Kahoolawe, and for Kauai County including Kauai and Niihau.

Tropical Storm Olivia was weakening as it neared Hawaii.  An upper level trough north of Hawaii was producing strong westerly winds which were blowing across the top of the circulation.  Those winds caused significant vertical wind shear and they blew the tops off thunderstorms near the center of circulations.  Bands near the center and in the western half of Tropical Storm Olivia consisted primarily of showers and lower clouds.  There were still a few taller thunderstorms in bands on the far eastern side of the circulation.

Since Tropical Storm Olivia consisted mostly of a circulation in the lower levels of the atmosphere, it was being steered by the winds in the lower levels.  Olivia was moving south of the subtropical high over the central Pacific Ocean.  That high steered Tropical Storm Olivia quickly to the west on Tuesday and it will continue to do so.  On its anticipated track Tropical Storm Olivia will reach Hawaii on Wednesday.  Olivia will bring some gusty winds and it could drop locally heavy rain, especially where the wind rises over hills and mountains.

Hurricane Olivia Causes Tropical Storm Watches for Hawaii

The potential impacts of Hurricane Olivia caused the issuance of Tropical Storm Watches for Hawaii on Sunday night.  Tropical Storm Watches were issued for Oahu, Maui County including Maui, Molokai, Lanai, and Kahoolawe, and Hawaii County.  At 11:00 p.m. EDT on Sunday the center of Hurricane Olivia was located at latitude 21.4°N and longitude 146.1°W which put it about 595 miles (960 km) east-northeast of Hilo, Hawaii.  Olivia was moving toward the west at 12 m.p.h. (19 km/h).  The maximum sustained wind speed was 75 m.p.h. (120 km/h) and there were wind gusts to 90 m.p.h. (145 km/h).  The minimum surface pressure was 988 mb.

Hurricane Olivia maintained its intensity and structure on Sunday.  A circular eye persisted at the center of circulation and a ring of thunderstorms surrounded the eye.  The strongest winds were occurring in that ring of storms.  Several bands of showers and thunderstorms were revolving around the core of Hurricane Olivia.  Winds to hurricane force extended out about 25 miles (40 km) from the center of circulation.  Winds to tropical storm force extended out about 125 miles (200 km) from the center.

Hurricane Olivia will move through a less favorable environment during the next several days.  Olivia will move over water where the Sea Surface Temperature is near 26°C.  So, there will be enough energy in the upper ocean to support a hurricane.  However, an upper level trough north of Hawaii will produce southwesterly winds which will blow toward the top of Hurricane Olivia.  Those winds will cause more vertical wind shear and Hurricane Olivia could weaken to a tropical storm as it approaches Hawaii.

Hurricane Olivia will move south of a subtropical high pressure system over the Central Pacific Ocean.  The high is forecast to strengthen and it will steer Olivia on a west-southwesterly track.  On its anticipated track Olivia could approach Hawaii late on Tuesday.  Olivia will bring gusty winds and it could cause power outages.  Locally heavy rain and the potential for flash floods are greater risks.

Hurricane Olivia Churns Toward Hawaii

Hurricane Olivia churned toward Hawaii on Saturday.  At 11:00 a.m. EDT on Saturday the center of Hurricane Olivia was located at latitude 21.4°N and longitude 138.0°W which put it about 1110 miles (1790 km) east of Hilo, Hawaii.  Olivia was moving toward the west at 15 m.p.h. (24 km/h).  The maximum sustained wind speed was 85 m.p.h. (135 km/h) and there were wind gusts to 100 m.p.h. (160 km/h).  The minimum surface pressure was 983 mb.

Hurricane Olivia weakened slowly on Saturday, but it still had a well organized circulation.  There was a circular eye at the center of circulation.  Several bands of showers and thunderstorms were revolving around the core of Hurricane Olivia.  The rainbands in the eastern half of the circulation were stronger than the bands in the western half of the circulation.  Storms near the core of Olivia were generating upper level divergence.

Hurricane Olivia will move through an environment that could allow it to remain a hurricane for several more days.  Olivia is currently over water where the Sea Surface Temperature is near 25°C, but it will move over slightly warmer water during the next several days.  An upper level trough north of Hawaii will produce southwesterly winds which will blow toward the top of the circulation.  Those winds will cause moderate vertical wind shear and they could cause Hurricane Olivia to weaken to a tropical storm early next week.

Hurricane Olivia will move south of a subtropical high over the Eastern North Pacific Ocean.  The high will steer Olivia toward the west during the next day or two.  The ridge is forecast to strengthen early next week and it will steer Olivia more toward the west-southwest.  On its anticipated track Hurricane Olivia could approach Hawaii on Tuesday night.

Elsewhere, Tropical Storm Norman moved north of Hawaii and weakened, while Tropical Depression Eighteen-E developed southwest of Baja California.  At 11:00 a.m. EDT on Saturday the center of Tropical Storm Norman was located at latitude 26.0°N and longitude 154.4°W which put it about 395 miles (630 km) northeast of Honolulu, Hawaii. Norman was moving toward the northwest at 9 m.p.h. (15 km/h).  The maximum sustained wind speed was 60 m.p.h. (95 km/h) and there were wind gusts to 75 m.p.h. (120 km/h).  The minimum surface pressure was 998 mb.

At 11:00 a.m. EDT on Saturday the center of Tropical Depression Eighteen-E was located at latitude 16.1°N and longitude 115.9°W which put it about 610 miles (980 km) southwest of the southern tip of Baja California.  It was moving toward the west-northwest at 12 m.p.h. (19 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.

Hurricanes Norma and Olivia Continue Westward

Hurricanes Norman and Olivia continued to move westward across the Pacific Ocean on Wednesday.  At 5:00 p.m. EDT on Wednesday the center of Hurricane Norman was located at latitude 19.9°N and 148.4°W which put it about 435 miles (700 km) east of Hilo, Hawaii. Norman was moving toward the west at 8 m.p.h.   The maximum sustained wind speed was 115 m.p.h. (185 km/h) and there were wind gusts to 135 m.p.h. (220 km/h).  The Minimum surface pressure was 962 mb.

At 5:00 p.m. EDT on Wednesday the center of Hurricane Olivia was located at latitude 17.3°N and longitude 123.5°W which put it about 960 miles (1550 km) west-southwest of the southern tip of Baja California.  Olivia was moving toward the west-northwest at 13 m.p.h. (20 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 974 mb.

Although Hurricane Norman was in seemingly a less favorable environment, it intensified on Wednesday while Hurricane Olivia weakened.  The eye of Hurricane Norman became more distinct and it strengthened back to major hurricane status.  Hurricane Olivia weakened to Category 2 on the Saffir-Simpson Scale.  Both hurricanes were similar in size.  Winds to hurricane force extended out about 30 miles (50 km) from the center of Hurricane Norman and about 25 miles (40 km) from the center of Hurricane Olivia.  Winds to tropical storm force extended out about 115 miles (185 km) from the centers of both Hurricane Norman and Hurricane Olivia.

Both hurricanes are forecast to weaken gradually during the next several days.  Hurricane Norman will move over water cooler than 26.5°C.  An upper level trough will produce westerly winds which will blow toward the top of the circulation and cause more vertical wind shear.  The combination of cooler water and more shear will cause Hurricane Norman to weaken. Hurricane Olivia is currently over water where the Sea Surface Temperature is near 28°C, but it too will move over cooler water.  An upper level ridge north of Olivia will produce northwesterly winds which will cause more vertical wind shear.  Hurricane Olivia is also forecast to weaken during the next several days.

The upper level trough is forecast to turn Hurricane Norman toward the northwest on Thursday.  On its anticipated track Hurricane Norman will pass north of the Hawaiian Islands.  The ridge north of Hurricane Olivia is forecast to steer Olivia in a general westerly direction for another four or five days.  On its anticipated track Hurricane Olivia could be east of Hawaii by the end of the weekend.

Tropical Storm Olivia Forms South of Baja California

Tropical Storm Olivia formed south of Baja California on Sunday morning.  At 11:00 a.m. EDT on Sunday the center of Tropical Storm Olivia was located at latitude 17.0°N and longitude 112.4°W which put it about 440 miles (705 km) south-southwest of the southern tip of Baja California.  Olivia was moving toward the northwest at 7 m.p.h. (11 km/h).  The maximum sustained wind speed was 45 m.p.h. (75 km/h) and there were wind gusts to 60 m.p.h. (95 km/h).  The minimum surface pressure was 1002 mb.

The circulation of Tropical Storm Olivia was not well organized.  Most of the stronger thunderstorms were occurring in bands southwest of the center of circulation.  The bands in the other parts of the tropical storm consisted primarily of showers and lower clouds.  Olivia was located southeast of an upper level ridge.  The ridge was producing northeasterly winds which were blowing across the top of the circulation.  Those winds were causing vertical wind shear and they were probably the reason why the stronger thunderstorms were confined to the southwestern part of Tropical Storm Olivia.

Tropical Storm Olivia will move into an environment that is more favorable for intensification.  Olivia will move over water where the Sea Surface Temperature is near 29°C.  It will move away from the northeasterly winds in the upper levels and the vertical wind shear is likely to decrease.  Intensification will occur slowly until the circulation becomes more well organized.  Once more thunderstorms form in other parts of the circulation, Tropical Storm Olivia could strengthen more quickly.

Tropical Storm Olivia will move south of a ridge of high pressure over the Eastern North Pacific Ocean.  The ridge will steer Olivia in a westerly direction during the next several days.  On its anticipated track Tropical Storm Olivia will move away from Baja California.

Elsewhere over the Eastern North Pacific Ocean, Hurricane Norman strengthened back to Category 4 on the Saffir-Simpson Scale.  At 11:00 a.m. EDT on Sunday the center of Hurricane Norman was located at latitude 17.6°N and longitude 129.1°W which put it about 1295 miles (2085 km) west-southwest of the southern tip of Baja California.  Norman was moving toward the west-northwest at 18 m.p.h. (30 km/h).  The maximum sustained wind speed was 130 m.p.h. (215 km/h) and there were wind gusts to 160 m.p.h. (260 km/h).  The minimum surface pressure was 949 mb.  Norman could be northeast of Hawaii in four or five days.

Hurricane Norman Rapidly Intensifies to Cat. 4

Hurricane Norman rapidly intensified to Category 4 on the Saffir-Simpson Scale on Thursday.  At 5:00 p.m. EDT on Thursday the center of Hurricane Norman was located at latitude 17.5°N and longitude 118.8°W which put it about 685 miles (1105 km) west-southwest of the southern tip of Baja California.  Norman was moving toward the west at 8 m.p.h. (13 km/h).  The maximum sustained wind speed was 150 m.p.h. (240 km/h) and there were wind gusts to 175 m.p.h. (285 km/h).  The minimum surface pressure was 937 mb.

The circulation Hurricane Norman is very symmetrical.  There is a small eye at the center of circulation and the eye is surrounded by a ring of strong thunderstorms.  The strongest winds are occurring in that ring of storms.  Several bands of showers and thunderstorms were revolving around the core of Hurricane Storm.  Storms near the core were generating strong upper level divergence which was pumping mass away from the hurricane in all directions.

Hurricane Norman has a small circulation.  Winds to hurricane force extend out about 25 miles (40 km) from the center of circulation.  Winds to tropical storm force only extend out about 80 miles (130 km) from the center.  The Hurricane Intensity Index (HII) for Norman is 31.6.  The Hurricane Size Index (HSI) is 8.6 and the Hurricane Wind Intensity Size Index (HWISI) is 40.2.  Hurricane Norman is a small, but powerful hurricane.

Hurricane Norman will remain in a very favorable environment for another day or so.  Norman will move over water where the Sea Surface Temperature is near 28°C.  It will move through a region where the upper level winds are weak and there will be little vertical wind shear.  Hurricane Norman could strengthen a little more during the next 24 hours unless an eyewall replacement cycle begins.  Norman is likely to move over slightly cooler water during the weekend and there may not be enough energy to maintain such a powerful hurricane.

Hurricane Norman will move south of a subtropical ridge over the Eastern North Pacific Ocean.  The ridge will steer Norman a little to the south of a due westerly course.  On its anticipated track Hurricane Norman will move toward the Central Pacific.

Elsewhere over the Central Pacific Ocean, Hurricane Miriam turned toward the north-northwest.  At 5:00 p.m. EDT on Thursday the center of Hurricane Miriam was located at latitude 15.7°N and longitude 141.6°W which put it about 930 miles (1495 km) east-southeast of Hilo, Hawaii.  Miriam was moving toward the north-northwest at 8 m.p.h. (13 km/h).  The maximum sustained wind speed was 85 m.p.h. (135 km/h) and there were wind gusts to 100 m.p.h. (160 km/h).  The minimum surface pressure was 982 mb.

Miriam and Norman Become Hurricanes

Both former Tropical Storm Miriam and Tropical Storm Norman strengthened into hurricanes over the Eastern North Pacific on Wednesday afternoon.  At 5:00 p.m. EDT on Wednesday the center of Hurricane Miriam was located at latitude 14.0°N and longitude 139.7°W which put it about 1090 miles east of Hilo, Hawaii.  Miriam was moving toward the west at 9 m.p.h.  The maximum sustained wind speed was 75 m.p.h. (120 km/h) and there were wind gusts to 90 m.p.h. (145 km/h).  The minimum surface pressure was 992 mb.

At 5:00 p.m. EDT on Wednesday the center of Hurricane Norman was located at latitude 17.6°N and longitude 116.9°W which put it about 545 miles (875 km) southwest of the southern tip of Baja California.  Norman was moving toward the west at 9 m.p.h. (15 km/h).  The maximum sustained wind speed was 75 m.p.h. (120 km/h) and there were wind gusts t0 90 m.p.h. (145 km/h).  The minimum surface pressure was 987 mb.

An inner rainband wrapped much of the way around the center of circulation and an eye developed at the center  of Hurricane Miriam on Wednesday.  Storms near the core of Miriam generated strong upper level divergence which pumped mass away from the hurricane.  Several bands of showers and thunderstorms were revolving around the core of the circulation.  The strongest rainbands were south and east of the center of Hurricane Miriam.  Rainbands on the northwest side of the circulation contained more showers and low clouds.

An inner rainband also wrapped most of the way around the center of Hurricane Norman on Wednesday and an eye appeared to be forming at the center of circulation.  Several bands of showers and thunderstorms were revolving around the core of Norman.  The distribution of thunderstorms in Norman was more symmetrical.  Storms around the core of Hurricane Norman were generating well developed upper level divergence.

Both Hurricane Miriam and Hurricane Norman were moving south of a subtropical ridge over the Eastern North Pacific Ocean.  Miriam could reach the end of the ridge in the next day or two and turn toward the north.  The ridge is forecast to steer Hurricane Norman westward during the next two or three days.

Hurricane Miriam will approach an upper level trough east of Hawaii.  The trough will produce southwesterly winds which will increase vertical wind shear.  The shear is forecast to cause Miriam to weaken.  Hurricane Norman will move over water where the Sea Surface Temperature is near 28°C.  Norman will move through a region where the upper level winds are weak and there will be little vertical wind shear.  Norman is forecast to intensify into a major hurricane.

Tropical Storm Norman Forms Southwest of Baja California

Tropical Storm Norman formed southwest of Baja California on Wednesday.  At 11:00 p.m. EDT on Wednesday the center of Tropical Storm Norman was located at latitude 17.5°N and longitude 113.9°W which put it about 455 miles (730 km) southwest of the southern tip of Baja California.  Norman was moving toward west-northwest at 10 m.p.h. (16 km/h).  The maximum sustained wind speed was 50 m.p.h. (80 km/h) and there were wind gusts to 65 m.p.h. (105 km/h).  The minimum surface pressure was 1000 mb.

The circulation of Tropical Storm Norman organized quickly on Wednesday.  A distinct low level center of circulation developed in an area of thunderstorms southwest of Baja California and the National Hurricane Center designated the system as Tropical Storm Norman.  A primary rainband wrapped part of the way around the center of circulation.  Several other bands of showers and thunderstorms formed and began to revolve around the core of Norman.  Storms near the core started to generate strong upper level divergence which was pumping mass away from the tropical storm in all directions.

Tropical Storm Norman will be moving through an environment favorable for intensification during the next several days.  Norman will move over water where the Sea Surface Temperature is near 29°C.  It will move through an area where the upper level winds are weak and there will be little vertical wind shear.  Tropical Storm Norman could intensify to a hurricane in the next 24 hours.  Once an eye forms and the inner core is full organized, Norman could intensify rapidly.  It could strengthen into a major hurricane later this week.

Tropical Storm Norman will move south of a subtropical ridge over the Eastern North Pacific during the next few days.  The ridge will steer Norman in a general westerly direction.  On its anticipated track Tropical Storm Norman will move toward the Central Pacific.

Elsewhere over the Eastern North Pacific Ocean, Tropical Storm Miriam continued to move westward.  At 11:00 p.m. EDT on Wednesday the center of Tropical Storm Miriam was located at latitude 14.1°N and longitude 137.4°W which put it about 1230 miles (1980 km) east of HIlo, Hawaii.  Miriam was moving toward the west at 13 m.p.h. (20 km/h).  The maximum sustained wind speed was 60 m.p.h. (95 km/h) and there were wind gusts to 75 m.p.h. (120 km/h).  The minimum surface pressure was 1000 mb.

Tropical Storm Miriam Forms Southwest of Baja California

Tropical Storm Miriam formed southwest of Baja California on Sunday morning.  At 11:00 a.m. EDT on Sunday the center of Tropical Storm Miriam was located at latitude 13.2°N and longitude 125.3°W which put it about 1210 miles (1950 km) west-southwest of the southern tip of Baja California.  Miriam was moving toward the west at 13 m.p.h. (20 km/h).  The maximum sustained wind speed was 45 m.p.h. (75 km/h) and there were wind gusts to 60 m.p.h. (95 km/h).  The minimum surface pressure was 1004 mb.

The circulation of Tropical Storm Miriam organized quickly on Sunday morning.  Several bands of showers and thunderstorms developed and the bands began to revolve around the center of circulation.  Storms near the core of Miriam started to generate upper level divergence which was pumping mass away in all directions.

Tropical Storm Miriam will move through an environment favorable for intensification during the next several days.  Miriam will move over water where the Sea Surface Temperature is near 28°C.  It will move through an area where the upper level winds are weak and there will be little vertical wind shear.  Tropical Storm Miriam could intensify into a hurricane on Monday.  Miriam could intensify rapidly once the inner core becomes fully organized and an eye develops at the center of circulation.

Tropical Storm Miriam will move south of the subtropical ridge over the Eastern North Pacific Ocean.  The ridge will steer Miriam in a general westerly direction during the next two or three days.  On its anticipated track Tropical Storm Miriam will move farther away from Baja California.