Tag Archives: Honolulu

Hurricane Iona Passes South of Hawaii

Hurricane Iona was passing well to the south of Hawaii on Tuesday afternoon.  At 5:00 p.m. EDT on Tuesday the center of Hurricane Iona was located at latitude 10.9°N and longitude 155.7°W which put the center about 735 miles (11800 km) south-southeast of Honolulu, Hawaii.  Iona was moving toward the west at 14 m.p.h. (22 km/h).  The maximum sustained wind speed was 125 m.p.h. (200 km/h) and there were wind gusts to 150 m.p.h. (240 km/h).  The minimum surface pressure was 957 mb.

Hurricane Iona strengthened a little more on Tuesday afternoon as it passed well to the south of Hawaii.  A small circular eye was still visible at the center of Iona’s circulation on satellite images.  The eye was surrounded by a ring of strong thunderstorms and the strongest winds were occurring in that ring of storms.  Bands of showers and thunderstorms were revolving around the center of Hurricane Iona.  Storms near the center of Iona generated upper level divergence that pumped mass away from the hurricane.  The removal of mass caused the surface pressure to decrease.

The size of the circulation around Hurricane Iona increased a little on Tuesday afternoon, but Iona was still a small hurricane.  Winds to hurricane force extended out 30 miles (50 km) from the center of Iona’s circulation.  Winds to tropical storm force extended out 90 miles (145 km) from the center of Hurricane Iona.

Hurricane Iona will move through an environment that will become unfavorable for intensification during the next 24 hours.  Iona will move over water where the Sea Surface Temperatures are near 28°C.  It will move under the southeastern part of an upper level trough centered north of Hawaii.  The upper level trough will produce southwesterly winds that will blow toward the top of Iona’s circulation.  Those winds will cause the vertical wind shear to increase.  In addition, Iona will move into a region of drier air that is located southwest of Hawaii.  The combination of more vertical wind shear and drier air will cause Hurricane Iona to start to weaken during the next 24 hours.

Hurricane Iona will move around the southern side of a high pressure system over the Central Pacific Ocean.  The high pressure system will steer Iona toward the west during the next 24 hours.  On its anticipated track, Hurricane Iona will move southwest of Hawaii on Wednesday.

Elsewhere over the Central Pacific Ocean, Tropical Storm Keli continue to move toward the west behind Hurricane Iona.  At 5:00 p.m. EDT on Tuesday the center of Tropical Storm Keli was located at latitude 12.8°N and longitude 149.9°W which put the center about 790 miles (1270 km) southeast of Honolulu, Hawaii.  Keli 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 1006 mb.

Iona Rapidly Intensifies to a Major Hurricane

Hurricane Iona rapidly intensified to a major hurricane over the Central Pacific Ocean south-southeast of Hawaii on Monday night.  At 5:00 a.m. EDT on Tuesday the center of Hurricane Iona was located at latitude 10.8°N and longitude 153.2°W which put the center about 790 miles (1270 km) south-southeast of Honolulu, Hawaii.  Iona was moving toward the west at 13 m.p.h. (21 km/h).  The maximum sustained wind speed was 115 m.p.h. (185 km/h) and there were wind gusts to 140 m.p.h. (225 km/h).  The minimum surface pressure was 964 mb.

Hurricane Iona continued to intensify rapidly during Monday night.  A small circular eye formed at the center of Iona’s circulation.  The eye was surrounded by a ring of strong thunderstorms and the strongest winds were occurring in that ring of storms.  Bands of showers and thunderstorms were revolving around the center of Hurricane Iona.  Storms near the center of Iona generated upper level divergence that pumped mass away from the hurricane.  The removal of mass caused the surface pressure to decrease rapidly.

The circulation around Hurricane Iona was small.  Winds to hurricane force extended out 20 miles (30 km) from the center of Iona’s circulation.  Winds to tropical storm force extended out 70 miles (110 km) from the center of Hurricane Iona.

Hurricane Iona will move through an environment favorable for intensification during the next 24 hours.  Iona 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 over the Central Pacific Ocean.  The upper level ridge will produce easterly winds that will blow toward the top of Iona’s circulation. Those winds will cause some vertical wind shear.  The vertical wind shear will inhibit intensification, but the wind shear will not be enough to prevent intensification.  Hurricane Iona could continue to intensify during the next 24 hours.

Hurricane Iona will move around the southern side of a high pressure system over the Central Pacific Ocean.  The high pressure system will steer Iona toward the west during the next 24 hours.  On its anticipated track, Hurricane Iona will pass south of Hawaii on Tuesday.

Elsewhere over the Central Pacific Ocean, Tropical Storm Keli continue to move toward the west behind Hurricane Iona.  At 5:00 a.m. EDT on Tuesday the center of Tropical Storm Keli was located at latitude 12.5°N and longitude 146.6°W which put the center about 960 miles (1550 km) southeast of Honolulu, Hawaii.  Keli was moving toward the west at 12 m.p.h. (19 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 1006 mb.

Iona Rapidly Intensifies to a Hurricane

Former Tropical Storm Iona rapidly intensified to a hurricane over the Central Pacific Ocean southeast of Hawaii on Monday.  At 11:00 a.m. EDT on Monday the center of Hurricane Iona was located at latitude 10.7°N and longitude 150.1°W which put the center about 895 miles (1440 km) southeast of Honolulu, Hawaii.  Iona was moving toward the west at 10 m.p.h. (16 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 994 mb.

Former Tropical Storm Iona rapidly intensified to a hurricane over the Central Pacific Ocean southeast of Hawaii on Monday.  The inner end of a rainband wrapped around the center of Hurricane Iona.  An eye appeared to be developing at the center of Iona’s circulation.  Bands of showers and thunderstorms were revolving around the center of Hurricane Iona.  Storms near the center of Iona generated upper level divergence that pumped mass away from the hurricane.  The removal of mass caused the surface pressure to decrease.

The circulation around Hurricane Iona was small.  Winds to hurricane force extended out 20 miles (30 km) from the center of Iona’s circulation.  Winds to tropical storm force extended out 70 miles (110 km) from the center of Hurricane Iona.

Hurricane Iona will move through an environment favorable for intensification during the next 24 hours.  Iona 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 over the Central Pacific Ocean.  The upper level ridge will produce easterly winds that will blow toward the top of Iona’s circulation.  Those winds will cause some vertical wind shear.  The vertical wind shear will inhibit intensification, but the wind shear will not be enough to prevent intensification.  Hurricane Iona will intensify during the next 24 hours.

Hurricane Iona will move around the southern side of a high pressure system over the Central Pacific Ocean.  The high pressure system will steer Iona toward the west during the next 24 hours.  On its anticipated track, Hurricane Iona will pass south of Hawaii on Tuesday.

Elsewhere over the Central Pacific Ocean, Tropical Depression Two-C formed east-northeast of Hurricane Iona.  At 11:00 a.m. EDT on Monday the center of Tropical Depression Two-C was located at latitude 12.0°N and longitude 143.6°W which put the center about 1140 miles (1840 km) east-southeast of Honolulu, Hawaii.  Tropical Depression Two-C was moving toward the west at 13 m.p.h. (21 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 1008 mb.

Depression Strengthens to Tropical Storm Iona

Former Tropical Depression One-C strengthened to Tropical Storm Iona over the Central Pacific Ocean southeast of Hawaii on Sunday.  At 11:00 p.m. EDT on Sunday the center of Tropical Storm Iona was located at latitude 10.9°N and longitude 148.3°W which put the center about 965 miles (1545 km) southeast of Honolulu, Hawaii.  Iona was moving toward the west at 10 m.p.h. (16 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.

Former Tropical Depression One-C strengthened to Tropical Storm Iona over the Central Pacific Ocean southeast of Hawaii on Sunday.  More stronger thunderstorms formed near the center of Iona’s circulation.  Thunderstorms were also occurring in bands revolving around the center of Tropical Storm Iona.  Storms near the center of Iona started to generate upper level divergence that pumped mass away from the tropical storm.

The strongest winds were occurring in the northern half of Tropical Storm Iona.  Winds to tropical storm force extended out 35 miles (55 km) in the northern side of Iona’s circulation.  The winds in the southern half of Tropical Storm Iona were blowing at less than tropical storm force.

Tropical Storm Iona will move through an environment favorable for intensification during the next 24 hours.  Iona 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 over the Central Pacific Ocean.  The upper level ridge will produce easterly winds that will blow toward the top of Iona’s circulation.  Those winds will cause some vertical wind shear.  The vertical wind shear will inhibit intensification, but the wind shear will not be enough to prevent intensification.  Tropical Storm Iona will intensify during the next 24 hours.

Tropical Storm Iona will move around the southern side of a high pressure system over the Central Pacific Ocean.  The high pressure system will steer Iona toward the west during the next 24 hours.  On its anticipated track, Tropical Storm Iona will pass south of Hawaii on Tuesday.

Tropical Depression One-C Forms Southeast of Hawaii

Tropical Depression One-C formed over the Central Pacific Ocean southeast of Hawaii on Saturday night.  At 5:00 a.m. EDT on Sunday the center of Tropical Depression One-C was located at latitude 10.9°N and longitude 145.6°W which put the center about 1085 miles (1445 km) southeast of Honolulu, Hawaii.  Tropical Depression One-C was moving toward the west 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 1005 mb.

A low pressure system over the Central Pacific Ocean southeast of Hawaii strengthened on Saturday night and the Central Pacific Hurricane Center designated the system as Tropical Depression One-C.

The circulation around Tropical Depression One-C was exhibiting more organization early on Sunday.  More thunderstorms formed near the center of the tropical depression.  Thunderstorms were also occurring in bands revolving around the center of Tropical Depression One-C.

Tropical Depression One-C will move through an environment 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 over the Central Pacific Ocean.  The upper level ridge will produce easterly winds that will blow toward the top of the depression.  Those winds will cause some vertical wind shear.  The vertical wind shear will inhibit intensification, but the wind shear will probably not be enough to prevent intensification.  Tropical Depression One-C is likely to intensify to a tropical storm during the next 24 hours.

Tropical Depression One-C will move around the southern side of a high pressure system over the Central Pacific Ocean.  The high pressure system will steer the tropical depression toward the west during the next 24 hours.  On its anticipated track, the tropical depression will pass south of Hawaii early next week.

Hurricane Hone Brings Wind and Rain to Hawaii

Hurricane Hone brought wind and rain to Hawaii on Sunday.  At 11:00 p.m. EDT on Sunday the center of Hurricane Hone was located at latitude 19.1°N and longitude 158.6°W which put the center about 160 miles (260 km) south-southwest of Honolulu, Hawaii.  Hone was moving toward the west at 13 m.p.h. (20 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 994 mb.

Bands in the northern side of Hurricane Hone brought wind and rain to the Big Island of Hawaii on Sunday.  A weather station at Bradshaw Army Airfield (PHSF) measured a sustained wind speed of 35 m.p.h. (56 km/h) and a wind gust of 44 m.p.h. (71 km/h).  The weather station also reported 1.35 inches (34.3 mm) of rain.  A weather station at Kahuku reported 8.52 inches (216.4 mm) of rain.

Hurricane Hone weakened on Sunday evening as it passed south of Hawaii.  An upper level trough northwest of the Hawaiian Islands was producing southwesterly winds that were blowing toward the top of Hone’s circulation.  Those winds were causing strong vertical wind shear and the wind shear was causing Hurricane Hone to weaken.  An eye was no longer visible at the center of Hone’s circulation.  The wind shear was also causing the distribution of thunderstorms to become asymmetrical.  Thunderstorms were still occurring in bands in the eastern part of Hurricane Hone.  Bands in the western part of Hone’s circulation consisted primarily of showers and low clouds.

Hurricane force winds were still occurring in the northeastern quadrant of Hurricane Hone.  Winds to hurricane force extended out 15 miles (25 km) in the northeastern quadrant of Hone’s circulation.  Winds to tropical storm force extended out 90 miles (145 km) from the center of Hurricane Hone.

Hurricane Hone will move through an environment that will be unfavorable for intensification during the next 24 hours.  Hone will move over water where the Sea Surface Temperatures are near 27°C.  However, the upper level trough northwest of the Hawaiian Islands will continue to cause strong vertical wind shear.  The wind shear will cause Hurricane Hone to weaken on Monday.

Hurricane Hone will move around the southern side of a subtropical high pressure system over the Eastern North Pacific and Central Pacific.  The high pressure system will steer Hone toward the west-northwest during the next 24 hours.  On its anticipated track, Hurricane Hone will move farther away from Hawaii on Monday.

Elsewhere, Hurricane Gilma started to weaken and Tropical Storm Hector formed over the Eastern North Pacific Ocean.

At 11:00 p.m. EDT on Sunday the center of Hurricane Gilma was located at latitude 18.1°N and longitude 135.1°W which put the center about 1310 miles (2110 km) east of Hilo, Hawaii.  Gilma was moving toward the west at 9 m.p.h. (15 km/h).  The maximum sustained wind speed was 105 m.p.h. (165 km/h) and there were wind gusts to 125 m.p.h. (200 km/h).  The minimum surface pressure was 972 mb.

At 11:00 p.m. EDT on Monday the center of Tropical Storm Hector was located at latitude 16.2°N and longitude 123.2°W which put the center about 980 miles (1580 km) west-southwest of the southern tip of Baja California.  Hector was moving toward the west at 12 m.p.h. (19 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 1001 mb.

 

 

Hurricane Dora Passes South of Hawaii

Hurricane Dora passed south of Hawaii on Tuesday. At 11:00 p.m. EDT on Tuesday the center of Hurricane Dora was located at latitude 11.4°N and longitude 160.1°W which put it about 700 miles (1125 km) south-southwest of Honolulu, Hawaii. Dora was moving toward the west at 23 m.p.h. (37 km/h). The maximum sustained wind speed was 130 m.p.h. (210 km/h) and there were wind gusts to 155 m.p.h. (250 km/h). The minimum surface pressure was 953 mb.

Hurricane Dora changed very little on Tuesday. The structure of Dora continued to be very symmetrical. An eye with a diameter of 12 miles (19 km) was still at the center of Hurricane Dora. The eye was surrounded by a ring of thunderstorms and the strongest winds were occurring in that ring of storms. Bands of showers and thunderstorms were revolving around the core of Dora’s circulation. Storms near the core generated upper level divergence that pumped mass away from the hurricane.

The size of the circulation around Hurricane Dora did not change much on Tuesday either. Winds to hurricane force extended out 30 miles (50 km) from the center of Dora’s circulation. Winds to tropical storm force extended out 115 miles (185 km) from the center of circulation. The Hurricane Intensity Index (HII) was 25.1. The Hurricane Size Index (HSI) was 9.9 and the Hurricane Wind Intensity Size Index (HWISI) was 35.0.

Hurricane Dora will move through an environment that will be favorable for a major hurricane during the next 24 hours. Dora will move over water where the Sea Surface Temperatures are near 27°C. It will move through a region where the upper level winds are weak and there will be little vertical wind shear. Hurricane Dora has been in equilibrium with its environment during the past 24 hours. The intensity of Dora may not change much during the next 24 hours. Since the circulation around Hurricane Dora is so small, any changes in the environment will have large effects on the intensity of Dora.

Hurricane Dora will move south of a subtropical high pressure system over the North Pacific Ocean. The high pressure system will steer Dora toward the west during the next 24 hours. On its anticipated track, Hurricane Dora will be near Johnston Island on Thursday.

Estelle Rapidly Intensifies to a Hurricane

Former Tropical Storm Estelle rapidly intensified to a hurricane over the Eastern North Pacific Ocean south of Manzanillo, Mexico on Saturday. At 11:00 p.m. EDT on Saturday the center of Hurricane Estelle was located at latitude 14.7°N and longitude 105.0°W which put it about 300 miles (485 km) south of Manzanillo, Mexico. Estelle was moving toward the west-northwest at 9 m.p.h. (15 km/h). The maximum sustained wind speed was 80 m.p.h. (130 km/h) and and there were wind gusts to 95 m.p.h. (150 km/h). The minimum surface pressure was 988 mb.

Former Tropical Storm Estelle rapidly intensified to a hurricane on Saturday. A circular eye was developing at the center of Hurricane Estelle’s circulation. The developing eye was surrounded by a ring of strong thunderstorms and the strongest winds were occurring in that ring of storms. Bands of showers and thunderstorms were revolving around the core of Hurricane Estelle. Storms near the core generated upper level divergence that pumped mass away from the hurricane in all directions. Winds to hurricane force extended out 15 miles (25 km) from the center of Estelle. Winds to tropical storm force extended out 70 miles (110 km) from the center of circulation.

Hurricane Estelle will move through an environment favorable for intensification during the next 36 hours. Estelle will move over water where the Sea Surface Temperatures are near 29˚C. It will move under an upper level ridge near the west coast of Mexico. The upper level winds are weak in the ridge and there will be little vertical wind shear. Hurricane Estelle will intensify during the next 36 hours. Estelle could continue to intensify rapidly and it could strengthen to a major hurricane.

Hurricane Estelle will move around the southern side of a high pressure system over Mexico. The high pressure system will steer Estelle toward the west-northwest during the next 36 hours. On its anticipated track Hurricane Estelle could be south of Baja California on Monday.

Elsewhere, Tropical Storm Darby weakened south of Hawaii. At 11:00 p.m. EDT on Saturday the center of Tropical Storm Darby was located at latitude 17.7°N and longitude 157.5°W which put it about 250 miles (400 km) south of Honolulu, Hawaii. Darby was moving toward the west at 22 m.p.h. (32 km/h). The maximum sustained wind speed was 40 m.p.h. (65 km/h) and and there were wind gusts to 50 m.p.h. (80 km/h). The minimum surface pressure was 1007 mb.

Hurricane Douglas Passes Just North of Hawaii

Hurricane Douglas was passing just to the north of the Hawaiian Islands on Sunday night.  At 11:00 p.m. EDT on Sunday night the center of Hurricane Douglas was located at latitude 22.0°N and longitude 157.3°W which put it about 60 miles (95 km) northeast of Honolulu, Hawaii.  Douglas was moving toward the west-northwest at 16 m.p.h. (26 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 989 mb.

Hurricane Warnings were in effect for Oahu, Kauai and Niihau.

The core of Hurricane Douglas exhibited greater organization on Sunday night.  Thunderstorms around the eye at the center of Douglas grew taller as the hurricane moved over warmer water.  Bands of showers and thunderstorms were revolving around the core.  Winds to hurricane force extended out about 40 miles (65 km) from the center of circulation.  Winds to tropical storm force extended out 115 miles (185 km) from the center in the northern half of Hurricane Douglas.  Winds to tropical storm force only extended out about 50 miles (80 km) on the southern side of the circulation.  The stronger winds were remaining north of the Hawaiian Islands.  There were reports of localized minor wind damage on some of the islands.

Hurricane Douglas will move around the south 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 the core of Hurricane Douglas will pass north of Oahu.  Scattered minor wind damage could occur on Oahu, Kauai and Niihau.  The southern part of the eyewall could come closer to Kauai and the risk for wind damage is greater there.  Winds blowing uphill could enhance rainfall on Oahu, Kauai and Niihau.  Flash Flood Watches were in effect for those islands.

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.