Tag Archives: Honolulu

Hurricane Lowell Brings Wind and Rain to Kauai

Leave a reply

Hurricane Lowell brought wind and rain to Kauai on Monday night.  At 8:00 a.m. EDT on Tuesday the center of Hurricane Lowell was located at latitude 22.9°N and longitude 160.8°W which put the center about 110 miles (175 km) northwest of Lihue, Hawaii.  Lowell was moving toward the north at 18 m.p.h. (30 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 965 mb.

A Hurricane Warning is in effect for Kauai County including Kauai and Niihau.

A Hurricane Warning is in effect for the Papahanaumokuakea Marine National Monument from Nihoa to French Frigate Shoals.

A Tropical Storm Warning is in effect for Oahu.

A weather station at the Lihue Airport was reporting a sustained wind speed of 53 m.p.h (85 km/h) and a wind gust of 79 m.p.h (127 km/h).

A weather station at the Honolulu Airport reported a sustained wind speed of 26 m.p.h. (42 km/h) and a wind gust of 45 m.p.h. (73 km/h).

Hurricane Lowell was a Category 2 hurricane on the Saffir-Simpson Scale as it passed over Kauai on Monday night.  The center of Lowell’s circulation passed west of Kauai and Niihau.  An eye was no longer visible at the center of Hurricane Lowell.  Bands of showers and thunderstorms were revolving around the center of Lowell’s circulation.  Storms near the center generated upper level divergence that pumped more mass away from the hurricane.  The removal of mass in the upper levels was less than to the convergence of mass in the lowers levels of the atmosphere.  So, the surface pressure was increasing.

The distribution of wind speeds in Hurricane Lowell was fairly symmetrical.  Winds to hurricane force extended out 65 miles (105 km) from the center of Lowell’s circulation.  Winds to tropical storm force extended out 175 miles (280 km) from the center of Hurricane Lowell.

The Hurricane Intensity Index (HII) for Hurricane Lowell is 17.8.  The Hurricane Size Index (HSI) is 23.9 and the Hurricane Wind Intensity Size Index (HWISI) is 41.7.  Hurricane Lowell is similar in size and intensity to Hurricane Gustav when Gustav hit Louisiana in 2008.

Hurricane Lowell will move through an environment that will be unfavorable for intensification during the next 24 hours.  Lowell will move over water where the Sea Surface Temperatures are near 26°C.  It will move under the southeastern part of an upper level low that is northwest of Hawaii.  The upper level low will produce southwesterly winds that will blow toward the top of Lowell’s circulation.  Those winds will cause strong vertical wind shear.  Hurricane Lowell will continue to weaken on Tuesday because of the strong vertical wind shear.

The upper level low that is northwest of Hawaii will pull Hurricane Lowell toward the north during the next 24 hours.  On its anticipated track, Hurricane Lowell will move away from  Kauai and Niihau on Tuesday.

Bands in the eastern side of Lowell will bring strong winds and heavy rain to Kauai and Niihau during the next few hours.  Heavy rain could cause flash floods in some locations.

Flood Watches are in effect for Kauai and Niihau.

Bands in the eastern periphery of Hurricane Lowell could also drop heavy rain on Maui, Lanai, Molokai, Oahu, the Big Island of Hawaii, and Kahoolawe.

Flood Watches are in effect for Maui, Lanai, Molokai, Oahu, the Big Island of Hawaii, and Kahoolawe.

Elsewhere, Tropical Storm Marie continued to weaken gradually southwest of San Diego.

At 5:00 a.m. EDT on Tuesday the center of Tropical Storm Marie was located at latitude 25.5°N and longitude 126.6°W which put the center about 760 miles (1220 km) southwest San Diego, California.  Marie was moving toward the west-northwest at 8 m.p.h. (13 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 996 mb.

Tropical Storm Lala Moves Away From Hawaii

Tropical Storm Lala was moving away from Hawaii on Monday.  At 11:00 a.m. EDT on Monday the center of Tropical Storm Lala was located at latitude 20.4°N and longitude 163.4°W which put the center about 360 miles (580 km) west-southwest of Honolulu, Hawaii.  Lala was moving toward the west at 12 m.p.h. (19 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 997 mb.

Over 113,000 customers in Hawaii were without electricity on Monday morning because of the damage caused by Tropical Storm Lala.  Bridges were washed out and some roads were impassible on the Big Island of Hawaii.

The circulation around Tropical Storm Lala was still well organized on Monday.  New thunderstorms were forming near the center of Lala’s circulation.  Thunderstorms were also developing in the inner sections of rainbands that were revolving around the center of Tropical Storm Lala.  The outer portions of the rainbands consisted primarily of showers and lower clouds.  Storms near the center of Lala generated upper level divergence that pumped mass away from the tropical storm.  The removal of mass in the upper levels was nearly equal to the convergence of mass in the lower levels of the atmosphere.  So, the surface pressure was not changing much.

The circulation around Tropical Storm Lala was a little smaller and more symmetrical on Monday morning.  Winds to tropical storm force extended out 105 miles (165 km) from the center of Lala’s circulation.

Tropical Storm Lala will move through an environment that will be unfavorable for intensification during the next 24 hours.  Lala will move over water where the Sea Surface Temperatures are near 27°C.  It will move under the middle of an upper level ridge that is west of Hawaii.  The upper level winds are weak near the middle of the ridge and there will be little vertical wind shear.  However, Tropical Storm Lala will continue to move into a region of drier air that is also west of Hawaii.  Tropical Storm Lala is likely to maintain its intensity during the next 24 hours because of the effects of the drier air.

Tropical Storm Lala will move around the southern part of a high pressure system that is over the Central North Pacific Ocean.  The high pressure system will steer Lala toward the west during the next 24 hours.  On its anticipated track, the center of Tropical Storm Lala will continue to move farther away from Hawaii.

Tropical Storm Lala Brings Wind and Rain to Honolulu

Tropical Storm Lala brought wind and rain to Honolulu on Sunday.  At 2:00 p.m. EDT on Sunday the center of Tropical Storm Lala was located at latitude 20.7°N and longitude 158.8°W which put the center about 75 miles (120 km) southwest of Honolulu, Hawaii.  Lala was moving toward the northwest at 14 m.p.h. (22 km/h).  The maximum sustained wind speed was 65 m.p.h. (105 km/h) and there were wind gusts to 80 m.p.h. (130 km/h).  The minimum surface pressure was 994 mb.

A Tropical Storm Warning is in effect for Maui County including Maui, Lanai, Molokai, and Kahoolawe.  A Tropical Storm Warning is in effect for Oahu and for Kauai County including Kauai and Niihau.

Almost 60,000 customers in Hawaii are without electricity because of Tropical Storm Lala.

Former Hurricane Lala weakened as it moved south of the Hawaiian Islands on Sunday.  However, the circulation around Tropical Storm Lala was still very well organized.  A small circular eye was evident at the center of Lala’s circulation on radar images.  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 center of Tropical Storm Lala.  Storms near the center of Lala generated upper level divergence that pumped mass away from the hurricane.  The removal of mass in the upper levels was less than the convergence of mass in the lower levels of the atmosphere.  So, the surface pressure increased on Sunday.

The distribution of wind speeds in Tropical Storm Lala continued to be asymmetrical.  Winds to tropical storm force extended out 140 miles (225 km) in the northern side of Lala’s circulation.  Winds to tropical storm force only extended out 60 miles (95 km) in the southern side of Tropical Storm Lala.

Tropical Storm Lala will move through an environment that will be unfavorable for intensification during the next 24 hours.  Lala will move over water where the Sea Surface Temperatures are near 27°C.  It will move under the middle of an upper level ridge that is southwest of Hawaii.  The upper level winds are weak near the middle of the ridge and there will be little vertical wind shear.  However, Tropical Storm Lala will continue to move into a region of drier air that is southwest of Hawaii.  Tropical Storm Lala is likely to continue to weaken gradually during the next 24 hours because of the effects of the drier air.

Tropical Storm Lala will move around the southern part of a high pressure system that is over the Central North Pacific Ocean.  The high pressure system will steer Lala toward the west during the next 24 hours.  On its anticipated track, the center of Tropical Storm Lala will pass south of Kauai.

Bands in the northern and eastern parts of Tropical Storm Lala will continue to bring gusty winds and heavy rain to Maui, Lanai, Molokai, Kahoolawe, Oahu, Kauai, and Niihau during the next few hours.  Heavy rain is likely to cause flash floods in some locations.

Flood Watches are in effect for Maui County, Oahu, and Kauai County.

Lala Strengthens to a Hurricane Near Hawaii

Former Tropical Storm Lala strengthened to a hurricane on Saturday as it brought wind and rain to Hawaii.  At 3:00 p.m. EDT on Saturday the center of Hurricane Lala was located at latitude 17.9°N and longitude 155.1°W which put the center about 85 miles (135 km) south-southeast of South Point, Hawaii.  Lala 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 988 mb.

A Hurricane Warning is in effect for Hawaii County.

A Tropical Storm Warning is in effect for Maui County including Maui, Lanai, Molokai, and Kahoolawe.  A Tropical Storm Warning is in effect for Oahu and for Kauai County including Kauai and Niihau.

Bands in the northern side of Hurricane Lala are already bringing gusty winds and rain to parts of Hawaii.

A weather station at Puulao on the Big Island of Hawaii reported a sustained wind speed of 46 m.p.h. (74 km/h) and a wind gust of 69 m.p.h. (111 km/h).  The weather station is at an elevation of 3366 feet (1026 m).

The weather station at the Daniel K. Inouye Airport in Honolulu reported a wind gust of 40 m.p.h. (64 km/h).

Former Tropical Storm Lala strengthened to a hurricane on Saturday.  The inner end of a rainband wrapped around the center of Lala’s circulation.  A circular eye was evident on satellite and radar images at the center of Hurricane Lala.  The eye was surrounded by a broken ring of thunderstorms and the strongest winds were occurring in that broken rings of storms.  Bands of showers and thunderstorms were revolving around the center of Lala’s circulation.  Storms near the center of Lala generated upper level divergence that pumped mass away from the hurricane.  The removal of mass in the upper levels caused the surface pressure to decrease on Saturday.

The distribution of wind speeds in Hurricane Lala was still asymmetrical.  Winds to tropical storm force extended out 205 miles (335 km) in the northern half of Lala’s circulation.  Winds to tropical storm force extended out only 45 miles in the southern half of Hurricane Lala.

Hurricane Lala will move through an environment favorable for intensification during the next 24 hours.  Lala will move over water where the Sea Surface Temperatures are near 27°C. It will move under the southern part of an upper level trough that is northeast of Hawaii.  The upper level ridge will produce southwesterly winds that will blow toward the top of Lala’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.  Lala will continue to move into a region of drier air as it comes close to the Big Island of Hawaii.  Hurricane Lala is likely to intensify to a hurricane during the next 24 hours even with the effects of the wind shear and drier air.

Hurricane Lala will move around the southern side of a high pressure system over the Central Pacific Ocean.  The high pressure system will steer Lala toward the west-northwest during the next 24 hours.  As the circulation around Tropical Storm Lala interacts with the terrain on the Big Island of Hawaii, Lala could be pulled northwest for a few hours.  On its anticipated track, the center of Hurricane Lala will come very close to the Big Island of Hawaii in a few hours.

Hurricane Lala could be a hurricane when the center of circulation comes near the Big Island of Hawaii.   Lala will bring strong winds and heavy rain to the Big Island of Hawaii.  Hurricane Lala could drop 16 to 20 inches (400 to 500 mm) of rain on the eastern slopes where the wind blows of the slope.   Isolated locations could receive 25 inches (635 mm) of rain.  Heavy rain is likely to cause flash floods in some locations.

Hurricane Lala will also bring gusty winds and heavy rain to Maui, Lanai, Molokai, Kahoolawe, Oahu, Kauai, and Niihau.

Flood Watches are in effect for Hawaii County, Maui County, Oahu, and Kauai County.

Henriette Weakens Back to a Tropical Storm

Former Hurricane Henriette weakened back to a tropical storm over the Central Pacific Ocean north of Hawaii on Tuesday.  At 11:00 a.m. EDT on Tuesday the center of Tropical Storm Henriette was located at latitude 32.8°N and longitude 161.6°W which put the center about 825 miles (1330 km) north-northwest of Honolulu, Hawaii.  Henriette was moving toward the northwest at 16 m.p.h. (26 km/h).  The maximum sustained wind speed was 70 m.p.h. (110 km/h) and there were wind gusts to 85 m.p.h. (135 km/h).  The minimum surface pressure was 994 mb.

Former Hurricane Henriette weakened back to a tropical storm over the Central Pacific Ocean north of Hawaii on Tuesday.  Henriette moved into a region of drier air that is northwest of Hawaii.  The drier air was pulled around the southern side of Tropical Storm Henriette.  The drier air affect the structure of Henriette.

Thunderstorms were still occurring near the center of Tropical Storm Henriette.  Thunderstorms were also still occurring in bands in the eastern and northern sides of Henriette’s circulation.  Bands in the southern and western sides of Tropical Storm Henriette consisted primarily of showers and lower clouds.

The circulation around Tropical Storm Henriette was small.  Winds to tropical storm force extended out 80 miles (130 km) from the center of Henriette’s circulation.

Tropical Storm Henriette will move through an environment that will become more unfavorable for intensification during the next 24 hours.  Henriette will move over water where the Sea Surface Temperatures are near 26°C.  It will move under the eastern side of an upper level low that is northwest of Hawaii.  The upper level low will produce southerly winds that will blow toward the top of Henriette’s circulation.  Those winds will cause the vertical wind shear to increase.  In addition, Henriette will continue to move through the region of drier air northwest of Hawaii.  More vertical wind shear and the effects of the drier will cause Tropical Storm Henriette to continue to weaken during the next 24 hours.

Tropical Storm Henriette will move around the southwestern part of a high pressure system over the central North Pacific Ocean.  The high pressure system will steer Henriette toward the northwest during the next 24 hours.  On its anticipated track, Tropical Storm Henriette will continue to move farther away from Hawaii.

Hurricane Henriette Moves North of Hawaii

Hurricane Henriette moved north of Hawaii on Monday.  At 5:00 p.m. EDT on Monday the center of Hurricane Henriette was located at latitude 29.8°N and longitude 157.8°W which put the center about 585 miles (945 km) north of Honolulu, Hawaii.  Henriette was moving toward the northwest at 18 m.p.h. (30 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 986 mb.

Hurricane Henriette strengthened slightly as it moved north of Hawaii on Monday.  A small clear area appeared intermittently at the center of Henriette’s circulation.  The clear area could be evidence that an eye may form at the center of Hurricane Henriette.  The clear area 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 center of Henriette’s circulation.  Storms near the center of Henriette generated upper level divergence that pumped mass away from the hurricane.

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

Hurricane Henriette will move through an environment mostly favorable for intensification during the next 24 hours.  Henriette will move over water where the Sea Surface Temperatures are near 26°C.  It will move under the eastern side of an upper level low that is northwest of Hawaii.  Henriette will move north of a smaller upper level low that is north of Hawaii.  The upper level winds are weak in the zone between the two upper level lows and there will be little vertical wind shear.  Hurricane Henriette could intensify during the next 24 hours.  The upper level winds will get stronger when Henriette moves closer to the upper level low northwest of Hawaii later on Tuesday.  Henriette could start to weaken by Tuesday night.

Hurricane Henriette will move around the southwestern part of a high pressure system over the central North Pacific Ocean.  The high pressure system will steer Henriette toward the northwest during the next 24 hours.  On its anticipated track, Hurricane Henriette will move farther away from Hawaii.

Henriette Rapidly Intensifies to a Hurricane

Former Tropical Storm Henriette rapidly intensified to a hurricane northeast of Hawaii on Sunday.  At 5:00 p.m. EDT on Sunday the center of Hurricane Henriette was located at latitude 25.7°N and longitude 152.5°W which put the center about 455 miles (735 km) northeast of Honolulu, Hawaii.  Henriette was moving toward the northwest at 17 m.p.h. (28 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.

Former Tropical Storm Henriette rapidly intensified to a hurricane northeast of Hawaii on Sunday.  The inner end of a rainband wrapped around the center of Henriette’s circulation.  A circular eye with a diameter of 15 miles (24 km) formed at the center of Hurricane Henriette.  The eye was surrounded by a ring of thunderstorms and the strongest winds were occurring in that rings of storms.  Bands of showers and thunderstorms were revolving around the center of Henriette’s circulation.  Storms near the center of Henriette 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 Henriette was small.  Winds to hurricane force extended out 20 miles (30 km) from the center of Henriette’s circulation.  Winds to tropical storm force extended out 70 miles (110 km) from the center of Hurricane Henriette.

Hurricane Henriette will move through an environment favorable for intensification during the next 24 hours.  Henriette will move over water where the Sea Surface Temperatures are near 26°C.  It will move under the middle of an upper level trough that is east of Hawaii.  The upper level winds are weak near the middle of the trough and there will be little vertical wind shear. Hurricane Henriette will intensify during the next 24 hours.  Henriette could continue to intensify rapidly.

Hurricane Henriette will move around the southwestern part of a high pressure system over the central North Pacific Ocean.  The high pressure system will steer Henriette toward the northwest during the next 24 hours.  On its anticipated track, Hurricane Henriette will pass well to the north of Hawaii.

Elsewhere, Tropical Storm Ivo continued to churn west of Baja California. At 5:00 p.m. EDT on Sunday the center of Tropical Storm Ivo was located at latitude 22.1°N and longitude 117.2°W which put the center about 470 miles (755 km) west of the southern tip of Baja California.  Ivo was moving toward the west-northwest 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.

Gil Strengthens to a Hurricane

Former Tropical Storm Gil strengthened to a hurricane over the Eastern North Pacific Ocean southwest of Baja California on Friday.  At 11:00 p.m. EDT on Friday the center of Hurricane Gil was located at latitude 16.5°N and longitude 125.1°W which put the center about 1080 miles (1740 km) west-southwest of the southern tip of Baja California.  Gil was moving toward the west-northwest at 20 m.p.h. (32 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 991 mb.

Former Tropical Storm Gil strengthened to a hurricane on Friday.  The inner end of a rainband wrapped around the western and southern sides of the center of Gil’s circulation.  Bands of showers and thunderstorms were revolving around the center of Hurricane Gil.  Storms near the center of Gil generated upper level divergence that pumped mass away from the hurricane.  The removal of mass caused the surface pressure to decrease.

The strongest winds were occurring in the northeastern part of Hurricane Gil.  Winds to hurricane force extended out 25 miles (40 km) in the northeastern quadrant of Gil’s circulation.  Winds to tropical storm force extended out 125 miles (200 km) from the center of Hurricane Gil.

Hurricane Gil will move through an environment somewhat favorable for intensification during the next 24 hours.  Gil will move over water where the Sea Surface Temperatures are near 27°C.  It will move through a region where there will be little vertical wind shear.  However, Gil will move into a region where there is very dry air.  The dry air will inhibit intensification.  Hurricane Gil could intensify during the next 24 hours if the dry air does not penetrate to the core of Gil’s circulation.

Hurricane Gil will move around the southern side of a high pressure system over the Eastern North Pacific Ocean.  The high pressure system will steer Gil toward the west-northwest during the next 24 hours.  On its anticipated track, Hurricane Gil will continue to move farther away from Baja California.

Elsewhere, former Tropical Storm Iona weakened to a tropical depression as it approached the International Date Line.  At 11:00 p.m. EDT on Friday the center of Tropical Depression Iona was located at latitude 15.8°N and longitude 179.5°W which put the center about 1465 miles (2355 km) west of Honolulu, Hawaii.  Iona 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 1008 mb.

Tropical Storm Gil Forms South of Baja California

Tropical Storm Gil formed over the Eastern North Pacific Ocean south of Baja California on Wednesday night.  At 5:00 a.m. EDT on Thursday the center of Tropical Storm Gil was located at latitude 12.7°N and longitude 115.1°W which put the center about 785 miles (1260 km) south-southwest of the southern tip of Baja California.  Gil was moving toward the west 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 1004 mb.

A low pressure system over the Eastern North Pacific Ocean south of Baja California strengthened on Wednesday night and the U.S. National Hurricane Center designated the system as Tropical Storm Gil.

The circulation around Tropical Storm Gil was organizing quickly on Thursday morning.  Numerous thunderstorms formed near the center of Gil’s circulation.  Thunderstorms also developed in bands revolving around the center of Tropical Storm Gil.  Storms near the center of Gil generated upper level divergence that pumped mass away from the tropical storm.  The removal of mass caused the surface pressure to decrease.

The distribution of wind speed in Tropical Storm Gil was asymmetrical.  Winds to tropical storm force extended out 160 miles (260 km) in the eastern side of Gil’s circulation.  Winds to tropical storm force extended out 60 miles (95 km) in the western side of Tropical Storm Gil.

Tropical Storm Gil will move through an environment very favorable for intensification during the next 24 hours.  Gil will move over water where the Sea Surface Temperatures are near 28°C.   It will move under the southern side of an upper level ridge over the Eastern North Pacific Ocean.  The upper level ridge will produce easterly winds that will blow toward the top of Gil’s circulation.  However, the winds in the lower atmosphere will also blow from the east.  So, there will be little vertical wind shear.  Tropical Storm Gil will intensify during the next 24 hours.  Gil could intensify rapidly,  Tropical Storm Gil could strengthen to a hurricane by Friday.

Tropical Storm Gil will move around the southern side of a high pressure system over the Eastern North Pacific Ocean.  The high pressure system will steer Gil toward the west-northwest during the next 24 hours.  On its anticipated track, Tropical Storm Gil will move away from Baja California.

Elsewhere, Tropical Storm Iona moved quickly away from Hawaii.  At 5:00 a.m. EDT on Thursday the center of Tropical Storm Iona was located at latitude 12.3°N and longitude 166.9°W which put the center about 860 miles (1385 km) southwest of Honolulu, Hawaii.  Iona was moving toward the west at 23 m.p.h. (37 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 1001 mb.

Iona Rapidly Weakens to a Tropical Storm

Former Hurricane Iona rapidly weakened to a tropical storm over the Central Pacific Ocean southwest of Hawaii on Wednesday.  At 5:00 p.m. EDT on Wednesday the center of Tropical Storm Iona was located at latitude 11.7°N and longitude 162.6°W which put the center about 730 miles (1180 km) south-southwest of Honolulu, Hawaii.  Iona was moving toward the west at 22 m.p.h. (35 km/h).  The maximum sustained wind speed was 65 m.p.h. (105 km/h) and there were wind gusts to 80 m.p.h. (130 km/h).  The minimum surface pressure was 994 mb.

Former Hurricane Iona rapidly weakened to a tropical storm southwest of Hawaii on Wednesday.  Iona moved into a region of drier air.  The drier air caused many of the thunderstorms in Iona’s circulation to dissipate.  A few thunderstorms were still occurring in bands in the southern and eastern periphery of Tropical Storm Iona.  An upper level trough southwest of Hawaii was producing southwesterly winds that were blowing toward the top of Iona’s circulation.  Those winds were causing moderate vertical wind shear.  The vertical wind shear was also contributing to the weakening of Tropical Storm Iona.

The circulation around Tropical Storm Iona was small.  Winds to tropical storm force extended out 80 miles (130 km) from the center of Iona’s circulation.

Tropical Storm Iona will move through an environment that will be mostly unfavorable for intensification during the next 24 hours.  Iona will move over water where the Sea Surface Temperatures are near 27°C.  It will move under the southeastern part of the upper level trough southwest of Hawaii.  The upper level trough will continue to produce southwesterly winds that will blow toward the top of Iona’s circulation.  Those winds will continue to cause moderate vertical wind shear.  In addition, Iona will also continue to move through the region of drier air that is located southwest of Hawaii.  The combination of moderate vertical wind shear and drier air will cause Tropical Storm Iona to start to continue to weaken 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, Hurricane Iona will move farther away from of Hawaii on Thursday.

Elsewhere over the Central Pacific Ocean, the upper level trough southwest of Hawaii caused former Tropical Storm Keli to weaken to a tropical depression.  At 5:00 p.m. EDT on Wednesday the center of Tropical Depression Keli was located at latitude 13.9°N and longitude 156.6°W which put the center about 520 miles (835 km) south of Honolulu, Hawaii.  Keli was moving toward the west 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 1006 mb.