Tag Archives: Hawaii

Hurricane Linda Churns West

Hurricane Linda churned westward over the Eastern North Pacific Ocean on Sunday. At 5:00 p.m. EDT on Sunday the center of Hurricane Linda was located at latitude 18.8°N and longitude 121.2°W which put it about 780 miles (1260 km) west-southwest of the southern tip of Baja California. Linda was moving toward the west at 12 m.p.h. (19 km/h). The maximum sustained wind speed was 110 m.p.h. (175 km/h) and there were wind gusts to 130 m.p.h. (210 km/h). The minimum surface pressure was 969 mb.

Hurricane Linda assumed a symmetrical shape on Sunday that is sometimes called an annular hurricane. A large, circular eye with a diameter of 40 miles (65 km) was at the center of Linda. The eye was surround by a ring of strong thunderstorms and the strongest winds were occurring in that ring of storms. Several short bands of showers and thunderstorms were revolving around the core of Hurricane Lida. Storms near the core of Linda generated upper level divergence that pumped mass away from the hurricane.

The wind field around Hurricane Linda was also very symmetrical. Winds to hurricane force extended out 30 miles (50 km) from the center of Linda. Winds to tropical storm force extended out 100 miles (160 km) from the center of circulation. The Hurricane Intensity Index (HII) for Hurricane was 19.2. The Hurricane Size Index (HSI) was 9.9 and the Hurricane Wind Intensity Size Index (HWISI) was 29.1.

Hurricane Linda will move through an environment unfavorable for a strong hurricane during the next few days. Linda will move over water where the Sea Surface Temperatures are near 25°C. It will move through a region where the upper level winds are weak and there will be little vertical wind shear. Cooler water will supply less energy for Hurricane Linda and it will weaken. However, symmetrical (annular) hurricanes tend to be nearly in balance with their environment. Since there will be little vertical wind shear, Hurricane Linda is likely to weaken very gradually.

Hurricane Linda will move south of a subtropical high pressure system over the Eastern North Pacific Ocean during the next few days. The high pressure system will steer Linda toward the west. On its anticipated track Hurricane Linda will continue to move toward the Central Pacific.

Tropical Storm Jimena Develops East-southeast of Hawaii

Tropical Storm Jimena developed east-southeast of Hawaii on Thursday morning. At 5:00 a.m. EDT on Thursday the center of Tropical Storm Jimena was located at latitude 15.5°N and longitude 136.6°W which put it about 1265 miles (2040 km) east-southeast of Hilo, Hawaii. Jimena was moving toward the northwest at 7 m.p.h. (11 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.

More thunderstorms developed near the center of former Tropical Depression Nine-E on Thursday morning and the National Hurricane Center upgraded the system to Tropical Storm Jimena. The circulation around Jimena was asymmetrical. Many of the stronger thunderstorms were developing in the eastern half of Tropical Storm Jimena. Bands in the western half of Jimena consisted primarily of showers and lower clouds. Winds to tropical storm force extended out 40 miles (65 km) in the northeastern quadrant of the circulation. The winds in the other parts of Jimena were blowing at less that tropical storm force.

Tropical Storm Jimena will move through an environment only marginally favorable for intensification during the next 24 hours. Jimena will move over water where the Sea Surface Temperatures are near 26°C. It will move through an area where the upper level winds are weak and there will be little vertical wind shear. Tropical Storm Jimena will move over cooler water on Friday. Jimena could strengthen a little during the next 24 hours, but it is likely to weaken when it moves over cooler water.

Tropical Storm Jimena will move around the southern side of a subtropical high pressure system over the Eastern North Pacific Ocean. The high will steer Jimena toward the west-northwest during the next several days. On its anticipated track Tropical Storm Jimena could be east-northeast of Hawaii in a few days.

Elsewhere over the Eastern North Pacific Ocean, Tropical Storm Hilda was weakening to the northeast of Tropical Storm Jimena. At 5:00 a.m. EDT on Thursday the center of Tropical Storm Hilda was located at latitude 20.1°N and longitude 129.2°W which put it about 1255 miles (2020 km) west of the southern tip of Baja California. Hilda was moving toward the west-northwest at 9 m.p.h. (15 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.

Tropical Storm Ignacio Develops Southwest of Baja California

Tropical Storm Ignacio developed southwest of Baja California on Monday morning. At 11:00 a.m. EDT on Monday the center of Tropical Storm Ignacio was located at latitude 18.3°N and longitude 114.0°W which put it about 415 miles (665 km) southwest of the southern tip of Baja California. Ignacio was moving toward the west-northwest at 9 m.p.h. (15 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.

The circulation around former Tropical Depression Ten-E strengthened on Monday morning and the National Hurricane Center upgraded the system to Tropical Storm Ignacio. The circulation around Ignacio was asymmetrical. The strongest thunderstorms were occurring in bands in the western half of tropical storm Ignacio. Bands in the eastern side of Ignacio consisted primarily of showers and lower clouds. Storms west of the center of circulation generate upper level divergence that pumped mass away to the west of the tropical storm. Even though the stronger thunderstorms were on the western side of Tropical Storm Ignacio, the strongest winds were occurring in the northeastern quadrant of the circulation. Winds to tropical storm force extended out 45 miles (75 km) in the northeastern quadrant of Ignacio. Winds in the other parts of the circulation were blowing at less than tropical storm force.

Tropical Storm Ignacio will move through an environment marginally favorable for intensification during the next 24 hours. Ignacio will move over water where the Sea Surface Temperatures are near 26°C. It will move under the southwestern part of a strong upper level ridge centered over Baja California. The ridge will produce strong easterly winds that will blow toward the top of Ignacio’s circulation. Those winds will cause moderate vertical wind shear and they were the cause of the asymmetrical distribution of thunderstorms. The wind shear will limit intensification. Tropical Storm Ignacio could get a little stronger during the next 24 hours. Ignacio will move over cooler water on Tuesday and it is likely to weaken.

Tropical Storm Ignacio will move around the southern side of a subtropical high pressure system over the Eastern North Pacific Ocean. The high will steer Ignacio toward the west-northwest during the next several days. On its anticipated track Tropical Storm Ignacio will remain far to the west of Baja California.

Elsewhere over the Eastern North Pacific Ocean, Hurricane Hilda was located west of Tropical Storm Ignacio. At 11:00 a.m. EDT on Monday the center of Hurricane Hilda was located at latitude 15.4°N and longitude 122.6°W which put it about 975 miles (1570 km) west-southwest of the southern tip of Baja California. Hilda was moving toward the northwest at 7 m.p.h. (11 km/h). The maximum sustained wind speed was 80 m.p.h. (130 km/h) and there were wind gusts to 100 m.p.h. (160 km/h). The minimum surface pressure was 988 mb.

Hilda Intensifies to a Hurricane

Former Tropical Storm Hilda intensified to a hurricane over the Eastern North Pacific Ocean on Saturday night. At 11:00 p.m. EDT on Saturday the center of Hurricane Hilda was located at latitude 14.3°N and longitude 118.7°W which put it about 825 miles (1330 km) southwest of the southern tip of Baja California. Hilda was moving toward the west-northwest at 10 m.p.h. (16 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 985 mb.

Former Tropical Storm Hilda intensified rapidly to a hurricane on Saturday. The inner end of a rainband wrapped around the center of Hurricane Hilda and an eye appeared to be forming. Bands of showers and thunderstorms were revolving around the core of Hilda. Storms near the core generated upper level divergence that pumped mass away from the hurricane. Winds to hurricane force extended out 25 miles (40 km) from the center of Hilda. Winds to tropical storm force extended out 90 miles (145 km) from the center of circulation.

Hurricane Hilda will move through an environment favorable for intensification during the next 24 hours. Hilda will move over water where the Sea Surface Temperatures are 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 Hilda is likely to continue to intensify on Sunday.

Hurricane Hilda will move south of a high pressure system over the Eastern North Pacific Ocean. The high will steer Hilda toward the west-northwest during the next several days. On its anticipated track Tropical Storm Hilda will continue to move farther away from Baja California.

Elsewhere, Tropical Depression Nine-E stalled west of Hurricane Hilda on Friday. At 11:00 p.m. EDT on Saturday the center of Tropical Depression Nine-E was located at latitude 11.5°N and longitude 127.5°W which put it about 1400 miles (2255 km) west-southwest of the southern tip of Baja California. The depression was stationary. The maximum sustained wind speed was 30 m.p.h. (50 km/h) and there were wind gusts to 40 m.p.h. (65 km/h). The minimum surface pressure was 1007 mb.

Tropical Storm Hilda Develops South of Baja California

Tropical Storm Hilda developed south of Baja California on Friday. At 11:00 p.m. EDT on Friday the center of Tropical Storm Hilda was located at latitude 13.2°N and longitude 114.6°W which put it about 735 miles (1185 km) south-southwest of the southern tip of Baja California. Hilda was moving toward the west-northwest at 15 m.p.h. (24 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 1003 mb.

The circulation around a low pressure system south of Baja California exhibited more organization on Friday and the National Hurricane Center designated the system as Tropical Storm Hilda. The circulation around Tropical Storm Hilda was asymmetrical. A band of thunderstorms was wrapping around the western side of the center of Hilda. Other bands of showers and thunderstorms were revolving around the center of circulation. Storms near the center generated upper level divergence that pumped mass away from the tropical storm. Winds to tropical storm force extended out 100 miles (160 km) to the east of the center of Tropical Storm Hilda. Winds in the western side of Hilda were blowing at less than tropical storm force.

Tropical Storm Hilda will move through an environment favorable for intensification during the next 36 hours. Hilda will move over water where the Sea Surface Temperatures are near 28°C. It will move through a region where the upper level winds are weak and there will be little vertical wind shear. Tropical Storm Hilda will intensify on Saturday and it could intensify to a hurricane during the next 36 hours.

Tropical Storm Hilda will move south of a high pressure system over the Eastern North Pacific Ocean. The high will steer Hilda toward the west-northwest during the next several days. On its anticipated track Tropical Storm Hilda will move farther away from Baja California.

Elsewhere, Tropical Depression Nine-E developed west of Tropical Storm Hilda on Friday. At 11:00 p.m. EDT on Friday the center of Tropical Depression Nine-E was located at latitude 12.5°N and longitude 126.2°W which put it about 1290 miles (2075 km) southwest of the southern tip of Baja California. The depression was moving toward the west at 6 m.p.h. (10 km/h). The maximum sustained wind speed was 30 m.p.h. (50 km/h) and there were wind gusts to 40 m.p.h. (65 km/h). The minimum surface pressure was 1007 mb.

Hurricane Felicia and Tropical Storm Guillermo Weaken

Both Hurricane Felicia and Tropical Storm Guillermo weakened on Monday morning. At 11:00 a.m. EDT on Monday the center of Hurricane Felicia was located at latitude 16.3°N and longitude 132.3°W which put it about 1515 miles (2435 km) east of Hilo, Hawaii. Felicia 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 100 m.p.h. (160 km/h). The minimum surface pressure was 990 mb.

Hurricane Felicia weakened rapidly on Monday morning. Felicia moved over water where the Sea Surface Temperatures was near 26°C. The air over the cooler water was also drier. When the drier air entered the small circulation around Hurricane Felicia, thunderstorms in the eyewall and in the rainbands weakened. The eye at the center of Felicia filled with lower clouds. Many of the bands consisted primarily of showers and lower clouds. The strongest thunderstorms were occurring in a small area east of the center of circulation. Winds to hurricane force extended out 15 miles (25 km) from the center. Winds to tropical storm force extended out 45 miles (75 km) from the center of circulation.

Hurricane Felicia will continue to weaken during the next several days. Felicia will move over water where the Sea Surface Temperatures are near 26°C. It will continue to be an environment where the air is relatively dry, which will inhibit the formation of thunderstorms. An upper level trough near Hawaii will produce southwesterly winds that will blow across the top of Felicia. Those winds will cause moderate vertical wind shear and the wind shear will cause Felicia to weaken faster. Hurricane Felicia could weaken to a tropical depression by Tuesday night.

Hurricane Felicia will move south of a subtropical high pressure system over the Eastern North Pacific Ocean. The high will steer Felicia toward the west during the next several days. On its anticipated track the remnants of Hurricane Felicia could pass south of Hawaii at the end of the week.

Elsewhere over the Eastern North Pacific Ocean, Tropical Storm Guillermo also weakened on Monday morning. At 11:00 a.m. EDT on Monday the center of Tropical Storm Guillermo was located at latitude 19.1°N and longitude 117.8°W which put it about 575 miles (925 km) west-southwest of the southern tip of Baja California. Guillermo 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.

Hurricane Felicia Churns West, Tropical Storm Guillermo Strengthens

Hurricane Felicia churned toward the west over the Eastern North Pacific Ocean on Sunday. At 5:00 p.m. EDT on Sunday the center of Hurricane Felicia was located at latitude 16.0°N and longitude 129.0°W which put it about 1330 miles (2140 km) west-southwest of the southern tip of Baja California. Felicia was moving toward the west-northwest at 12 m.p.h. (19 km/h). The maximum sustained wind speed was 120 m.p.h. (195 km/h) and there were wind gusts to 140 m.p.h. (225 km/h). The minimum surface pressure was 961 mb.

Hurricane Felicia weakened gradually on Sunday as it churned westward over the Eastern North Pacific Ocean. Even though Felicia was weakening, the circulation around the hurricane remained very well organized. A small circular eye was at the center of Hurricane Felicia. 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 core of Felicia. Storms near the core generated upper level divergence that pumped mass away from the hurricane.

The circulation around Hurricane Felicia was still small. Winds to hurricane force extended out 20 miles (30 km) from the center of Felicia. Winds to tropical storm force extended out 60 miles (95 km) from the center of circulation. The Hurricane Intensity Index (HII) for Felicia is 22.1. The Hurricane Size Index (HSI) is 6.2 and the Hurricane Wind Intensity Size Index (HWISI) is 28.3.

Hurricane Felicia will move through an environment that will become less favorable for a strong hurricane during the next 48 hours. Felicia will move over water where the Sea Surface Temperatures are near 26°C. It will move through a region where the upper level winds are weak during the next 24 hours. An upper level trough near Hawaii will move toward Felicia during the next several days. The trough will produce strong southwesterly winds that will blow toward the top of Hurricane Felicia in a couple of days. Those winds will cause strong vertical wind shear and the shear will cause Felicia to weaken more quickly.

Hurricane Felicia will move south of a subtropical high pressure system during the next few days. The high will steer Felicia toward the west. On its anticipated track Hurricane Felicia will move over the Central Pacific Ocean on Tuesday night.

Elsewhere over the Eastern North Pacific Ocean, Tropical Storm Guillermo strengthened gradually southwest of Baja California on Sunday. At 5:00 p.m. EDT on Sunday the center of Tropical Storm Guillermo was located at latitude 18.7°N and longitude 113.8°W which put it about 385 miles (620 km) southwest of the southern tip of Baja California. Guillermo was moving toward the west-northwest at 14 m.p.h. (22 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 999 mb.

The circulation around Tropical Storm Guillermo was much larger than the circulation around Hurricane Felicia. Winds to tropical storm force extended out 115 miles (185 km) on the eastern side of Guillermo. Winds to tropical storm force extended out 60 miles (95 km) on the western side of the circulation. Tropical Storm Guillermo is forecast to move toward the west and to strengthen during the next 24 hours.

Major Hurricane Felicia Strengthens

Major Hurricane Felicia strengthened on Saturday morning. At 11:00 a.m. EDT on Saturday the center of Hurricane Felicia was located at latitude 14.6°N and longitude 124.6°W which put it about 1120 miles (1800 km) west-southwest of the southern tip of Baja California. Felicia was moving toward the west at 8 m.p.h. (13 km/h). The maximum sustained wind speed was 145 m.p.h. (230 km/h) and there were wind gusts to 175 m.p.h. (280 km/h). The minimum surface pressure was 947 mb.

Hurricane Felicia intensified on Saturday morning even though the small hurricane began to move over water where the Sea Surface Temperature was slightly cooler. A well formed circular eye with a diameter of 12 miles (19 km) was at the center of Felicia. The eye was surrounded by a ring of strong thunderstorms and the strongest winds were occurring in that ring of storms. Storms around the core of Felicia generated upper level divergence that pumped mass away from the hurricane. The circulation around Hurricane Felicia was small. Winds to hurricane force extended out 20 miles (35 km) from the center of Felicia. Winds to tropical storm force extended out 45 miles (75 km) from the center of circulation. The Hurricane Intensity Index (HII) for Hurricane Felicia was 29.9. The Hurricane Size Index (HSI) was 6.1 and the Hurricane Wind Intensity Size Index (HWISI) was 36.0.

Hurricane Felicia will gradually move over water where the Sea Surface Temperatures are slightly cooler. Felicia will move over water where the Sea Surface Temperatures are near 27°C during the rest of the weekend. It will move through a region where the upper level winds are weak and there will be little vertical wind shear. Hurricane Felicia will move through an environment capable of supporting a major hurricane during the next 24 hours. Felicia will start to weaken when it moves over slightly cooler water. Since the circulation around Hurricane Felicia is very small, Felicia could weaken rapidly when it moves into a less favorable environment.

Hurricane Felicia will move south of a subtropical high pressure system during the next few days. The high will steer Felicia toward the west. On its anticipated track Hurricane Felicia will move toward the Central Pacific Ocean.

Elsewhere over the Eastern North Pacific Ocean, Tropical Depression Seven-E formed south of Baja California on Saturday morning. At 11:00 a.m. EDT on Saturday the center of Tropical Depression Seven-E was located at latitude 16.8°N and longitude 109.2°W which put it about 475 miles (680 km) south of the southern tip of Baja California. The tropical depression was moving toward the west-northwest at 17 m.p.h. (28 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 1007 mb.

Hurricane Felicia Reaches Cat. 4

Hurricane Felicia reached Category 4 on the Saffir-Simpson Scale on Friday. At 11:00 p.m. EDT on Friday the center of Hurricane Felicia was located at latitude 14.8°N and longitude 123.2°W which put it about 1030 miles (1660 km) west-southwest of the southern tip of Baja California. Felicia was moving toward the west at 9 m.p.h. (15 km/h). The maximum sustained wind speed was 130 m.p.h. (210 km/h) and there were wind gusts to 160 m.p.h. (260 km/h). The minimum surface pressure was 954 mb.

Hurricane Felicia strengthened to Category 4 on the Saffir-Simpson Scale on Friday. A small circular eye at the center of Felicia became more well defined on satellite images. The eye was surrounded by a ring of strong thunderstorms and the strongest winds were occurring in that ring of storms. Storms around the core of Felicia generated upper level divergence that pumped mass away from the hurricane. The circulation around Hurricane Felicia was small. Winds to hurricane force extended out 20 miles (35 km) from the center of Felicia. Winds to tropical storm force extended out 60 miles (95 km) from the center of circulation. The Hurricane Intensity Index (HII) for Hurricane Felicia was 25.1. The Hurricane Size Index (HSI) was 6.1 and the Hurricane Wind Intensity Size Index (HWISI) was 31.2.

Hurricane Felicia may have reached its peak intensity. Felicia will move over water where the Sea Surface Temperatures are near 28°C for a few more hours. It will move through a region where the upper level winds are weak and there will be little vertical wind shear. Those environmental conditions may allow Hurricane Felicia to maintain its intensity for awhile. Felicia will move over slightly cooler water during the weekend. Cooler Sea Surface Temperatures will cause Hurricane Felicia to start to weaken.

Hurricane Felicia will move south of a subtropical high pressure system during the next few days. The high will steer Felicia toward the west. On its anticipated track Hurricane Felicia will move toward the Central Pacific Ocean.

Felicia Strengthens to a Major Hurricane

Hurricane Felicia strengthened to a major hurricane on Friday morning. At 5:00 a.m. EDT on Friday the center of Hurricane Felicia was located at latitude 15.1°N and longitude 121.0°W which put it about 900 miles (1450 km) southwest of the southern tip of Baja California. Felicia was moving toward the west at 9 m.p.h. (15 km/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 968 mb.

Hurricane Felicia continued to intensify quickly on Thursday and it strengthened to a major hurricane on Friday morning. A small circular eye was present at the center of Felicia. The eye was surrounded by a ring of strong thunderstorms and the strongest winds were occurring in that ring of storms. Storms around the core of Felicia generated upper level divergence that pumped mass away from the hurricane. The circulation around Hurricane Felicia was small. Winds to hurricane force extended out 25 miles (40 km) from the center of Felicia. Winds to tropical storm force extended out 60 miles (95 km) from the center of circulation.

Hurricane Felicia will move through an environment favorable for intensification during the next 12 hours. Felicia will move over water where the Sea Surface Temperatures are 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 Felicia could strengthen on Friday. Felicia will move over slightly cooler water during the weekend. Cooler Sea Surface Temperatures will cause Hurricane Felicia to weaken.

Hurricane Felicia will move south of a subtropical high pressure system during the next few days. The high will steer Felicia toward the west. On its anticipated track Hurricane Felicia will move toward the Central Pacific Ocean.