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Hurricane Lowell Brings Wind and Rain to Kauai

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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.

Hurricane Lowell Moves Closer to Kauai

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Hurricane Lowell was moving closer to Kauai on Monday evening.  At 11:00 p.m. EDT on Monday the center of Hurricane Lowell was located at latitude 20.3°N and longitude 161.3°W which put the center about 170 miles (275 km) southwest of Lihue, Hawaii.  Lowell was moving toward the north-northeast at 18 m.p.h. (30 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 956 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 32 m.p.h (52 km/h) and a wind gust of 51 m.p.h (82 km/h).

Hurricane Lowell was a Category 2 hurricane on the Saffir-Simpson Scale as it moved closer to Kauai on Monday evening.  A small circular eye was at the center of Lowell’s circulation.  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 Hurricane Lowell.  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 a little less than to the convergence of mass in the lowers levels of the atmosphere.  So, the surface pressure was increasing slowly.

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 19.2.  The Hurricane Size Index (HSI) is 22.3 and the Hurricane Wind Intensity Size Index (HWISI) is 41.5.  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 27°C.   It will move under the southwestern part of an upper level low that is north of Hawaii. The upper level low will produce southwesterly winds that will blow toward the top of Lowell’s circulation.  Those winds will cause the vertical wind shear to increase.  Hurricane Lowell will continue to weaken on Tuesday because of the increase in vertical wind shear.

The upper level low that is north of Hawaii will pull Hurricane Lowell toward the north-northeast during the next 24 hours.  On its anticipated track, the center of Hurricane Lowell will pass just to the west of Kauai in a few hours.

Bands in the eastern side of Lowell will bring strong winds and heavy rain to Kauai and Niihau on Monday night.  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 11:00 p.m. EDT on Monday the center of Tropical Storm Marie was located at latitude 25.1°N and longitude 125.9°W which put the center about 745 miles (1200 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 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 994 mb.

Hurricane Warning Issued for Kauai

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A Hurricane Warning has been issued for Kauai County.  At 8:00 a.m. EDT on Monday the center of Hurricane Lowell was located at latitude 17.0°N and longitude 163.0°W which put the center about 415 miles (670 km) southwest of Lihue, Hawaii.  Lowell was moving toward the north-northeast at 10 m.p.h. (16 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. (215 km/h).  The minimum surface pressure was 940 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.

Hurricane Lowell was weakening slowly as it moved toward Kauai on Monday morning.  Lowell was still a major hurricane.  A circular eye with a diameter of 35 miles (55 km) was still at the center of Lowell’s circulation.  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 Hurricane Lowell.  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 a little less than to the convergence of mass in the lowers levels of the atmosphere.  So, the surface pressure was increasing slowly.

The distribution of wind speeds in Hurricane Lowell was fairly symmetrical. Winds to hurricane force extended out 60 miles (95 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 20.6. The Hurricane Size Index (HSI) is 19.5 and the Hurricane Wind Intensity Size Index (HWISI) is 40.1.  Hurricane Lowell is similar in intensity to Hurricane Rita was when Rita hit Southwest Louisiana in 2005.  Lowell is not as big as Rita was.

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 27°C.  It will move under the southwestern part of an upper level low that is north of Hawaii.  The upper level low will produce southwesterly winds that will blow toward the top of Lowell’s circulation.  Those winds will cause the vertical wind shear to increase.  Hurricane Lowell will continue to weaken on Monday because of the increase in vertical wind shear.

The upper level low that is north of Hawaii will steer Hurricane Lowell toward the north-northeast during the next 24 hours.  On its anticipated track, the center of Hurricane Lowell will be just southwest of Kauai on Monday night.

Bands in the eastern side of Lowell could bring strong winds and heavy rain to Kauai and Niihau on Monday night.  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 was weakening gradually southwest of San Diego.

At 5:00 a.m. EDT on Monday the center of Tropical Storm Marie was located at latitude 24.4°N and longitude 123.7°W which put the center about 700 miles (1125 km) southwest San Diego, California.  Marie was moving toward the northwest at 8 m.p.h. (13 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 986 mb.

Tropical Storm Warning Issued for Kauai

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A Tropical Storm Warning has been issued for Kauai County because of the potential effects of Hurricane Lowell.  At 11:00 a.m. EDT on Sunday the center of Hurricane Lowell was located at latitude 14.7°N and longitude 163.8°W which put the center about 580 miles (935 km) south-southwest of Lihue, Hawaii.  Lowell was moving toward the north-northwest at 6 m.p.h. (10 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 943 mb.

A Tropical Storm 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.

Hurricane Lowell weakened to Category 3 on the Saffir-Simpson Scale on Sunday morning.  Lowell was still a major hurricane.  A circular eye with a diameter of 30 miles (50 km) was still at the center of Lowell’s circulation.  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 Hurricane Lowell.  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 nearly equal to the convergence of mass in the lowers levels of the atmosphere.  So, the surface pressure did not change much on Sunday morning.

The distribution of wind speeds in Hurricane Lowell was fairly symmetrical.  Winds to hurricane force extended out 50 miles (80 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 23.6. The Hurricane Size Index (HSI) is 19.5 and the Hurricane Wind Intensity Size Index (HWISI) is 43.9.  Hurricane Lowell is bigger and stronger than Hurricane Milton was when Milton hit Florida in 2024.

Hurricane Lowell will move through an environment that will be less favorable for intensification during the next 24 hours.  Lowell 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 wind shear.  However, Lowell will  move into a mass of drier air that is southwest of Hawii.  Hurricane Lowell is likely to continue to weaken slowly because of the effects of the drier air.  Lowell will move southwest of an upper level low that is north of Hawaii on Monday.  The upper level low will produce southwesterly winds that will cause the vertical wind shear to increase.  The increase in vertical wind shear will cause Lowell to weaken faster on Monday.

Hurricane Lowell will move around the western end of a high pressure system that is over the Central North Pacific Ocean.  The high pressure system will steer Lowell toward the north during the next 24 hours.  On its anticipated track, the center of Hurricane Lowell will pass west of Kauai and Niihau on Monday night.

Bands in the eastern side of Lowell could bring strong winds and heavy rain to Kauai and Niihau on Monday night.  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, thunderstorms were decreasing Tropical Storm Karina and Hurricane Marie was weakening west of Baja California.

At 11:00 a.m. EDT on Sunday the center of Tropical Storm Karina was located at latitude 22.7°N and longitude 145.0°W which put the center about 680 miles (1100 km) east-northeast of Hilo, Hawaii.  Karina was moving toward the northwest at 7 m.p.h. (11 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 992 mb.

At 11:00 a.m. EDT on Sunday the center of Hurricane Marie was located at latitude 23.5°N and longitude 122.5°W which put the center about 800 miles (1290 km) west of the southern tip of Baja California.  Marie was moving toward the northwest at 9 m.p.h. (15 km/h).  The maximum sustained wind speed was 80 m.p.h. (130 km/h) and there were wind gusts to 95 m.p.h. (150 km/h).  The minimum surface pressure was 977 mb.

 

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.

Hurricane Lala Brings Wind and Rain to Hawaii

Hurricane Lala brought wind and rain to Hawaii on Saturday.  At 11:00 p.m. EDT on Saturday the center of Hurricane Lala was located at latitude 18.7°N and longitude 156.0°W which put the center about 30 miles (50 km) southwest of South Point, Hawaii.  Lala was moving toward the northwest at 9 m.p.h. (15 km/h).  The maximum sustained wind speed was 80 m.p.h. (130 km/h) and there were wind gusts to 95 m.p.h. (150 km/h).  The minimum surface pressure was 985 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.

The northeastern part of the eyewall of Hurricane Lala was over the southern end of the Big Island of Hawaii on Saturday evening.  The eye of Lala was passing just to the southwest of the Big Island.

A weather station at South Point reported a sustained wind speed of 35 m.p.h. (56 km/h) and a wind gust of 52 m.p.h. (84 km/h).

A weather station at Kailua Kona, Hawaii reported a sustained wind speed of 52 m.p.h. (85 km/h) and a wind gust of 71 m.p.h. (115 km/h).

A weather station in Kawaihae, Hawaii reported a sustained wind speed of 39 m.p.h. (63 km/h) and a wind gust of 61 m.p.h. (98 km/h).

Hurricane Lala strengthened a little more on Saturday evening.  A circular eye with a diameter of 20 miles (32 km) was at the center of Lala’s circulation.  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 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 strongest winds were occurring in the northern part of Hurricane Lala.  Winds to hurricane force extended out 45 miles (75 km) in the northern side of Lala’s circulation.  Wind to tropical storm force extended out 175 miles (280 km) in the northern side of Hurricane Lala.  Winds to tropical storm force only extended out 60 miles (95 km) in the southern side of Lala’s circulation.

Hurricane Lala will move into an environment that will become 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, Hurricane Lala will continue to move into a region of drier air that is southwest of Hawaii.  In addition, the flow in the northeastern part of Lala’s circulation will be disrupted by the volcanic mountains on the Big Islands of Hawaii.  Hurricane Lala is likely to weaken on Sunday because of the disruption to its circulation and the effects of the drier air.

Hurricane Lala is likely to continue to move toward the northwest during the next few hours as Lala’s circulation interacts with the terrain on the Big Island of Hawaii.  Lala will move around the southern part of a high pressure system that is over the Central North Pacific Ocean on Sunday.  The high pressure system will steer Lala toward the west after it moves away from the Big Island.  On its anticipated track, the center of Hurricane Lala will pass south of Maui, Oahu, and Kauai.

Hurricane Lala will continue to bring strong winds and heavy rain to the Big Island of Hawaii during the next few hours.  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 even though the center of circulation will pass south of those islands.

A Flash Flood Warning is in effect for the Big Island of Hawaii.

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.

Tropical Storm Lala Moves Closer to Hawaii

Tropical Storm Lala moved steadily closer to Hawaii on Friday.  At 5:00 p.m. EDT on Friday the center of Tropical Storm Lala was located at latitude 17.2°N and longitude 150.9°W which put the center about 340 miles (545 km) east-southeast of South Point, Hawaii.  Lala 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 997 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 Watch is in effect for Oahu and for Kauai County including Kauai and Niihau.

Tropical Storm Lala was exhibiting signs of greater organization on Friday afternoon.  The inner end of a rainband was wrapping around the northern side of the center of Lala’s circulation.  An eye could be forming at the center of Tropical Storm Lala.  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 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 remained nearly steady on Friday.

The distribution of wind speeds in Tropical Storm Lala continued to be asymmetrical on Friday. Winds to tropical storm force extended out 195 miles (315 km) in the northern half of Lala’s circulation.  The winds in the southern half of Tropical Storm Lala were blowing at less than tropical storm force.

Tropical Storm 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 eastern part of an upper level ridge that is east of Hawaii.  The upper level ridge will produce northeasterly 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 move into a region of drier air as it continues to approach Hawaii.  Tropical Storm Lala is likely to intensify during the next 24 hours even with the effects of the wind shear and drier air.  Lala could strengthen to a hurricane on Saturday.

Tropical Storm 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. On its anticipated track, Tropical Storm Lala will approach the Big Island of Hawaii on in 24 hours.

Tropical Storm Lala could be a hurricane when it approaches the Big Island of Hawaii.  Lala will bring strong winds and heavy rain to the Big Island of Hawaii.  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.

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

Tropical Storm Lala Strengthens, Hurricane Warning for Hawaii

Tropical Storm Lala strengthened on Thursday evening.  A Hurricane Warning was issued for the Big Island of Hawaii.  At 11:00 p.m. EDT on Thursday the center of Tropical Storm Lala was located at latitude 16.2°N and longitude 147.5°W which put the center about 555 miles (890 km) east-southeast of Hilo, Hawaii.  Lala was moving toward the west-northwest 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.

A Hurricane Warning is in effect for Hawaii County.

A Tropical Storm Watch is in effect for Maui County including Maui, Lanai, Molokai, and Kahoolawe.

Reconnaissance aircraft found that Tropical Storm Lala had strengthened on Thursday evening.  Even though Lala was stronger, the distribution of thunderstorms was asymmetrical.  Thunderstorms were occurring mainly in bands north and east of the center of Tropical Storm Lala.  Bands in the southern and western parts of Lala’s circulation 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 caused the surface pressure to decrease.

The strongest winds were occurring in the northern side of Tropical Storm Lala.  Winds to tropical storm force extended out 275 miles (445 km) in the northern half of Lala’s circulation.   The winds in the southern half of Tropical Storm Lala were blowing at less than tropical storm force.

Tropical Storm 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 eastern part of an upper level ridge that is east of Hawaii.  The upper level ridge will produce northeasterly 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 move into a region of drier air as it approaches Hawaii.  Tropical Storm Lala is likely to intensify during the next 24 hours even with the effects of the wind shear and drier air.  Lala could strengthen to a hurricane during the next 48 hours.

Tropical Storm 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.  On its anticipated track, Tropical Storm Lala will move toward Hawaii. The center of Lala’s circulation could reach the Big Island of Hawaii on within 48 hours.

Tropical Storm Lala could be a hurricane when it approaches the Big Island of Hawaii.  Lala will bring strong winds and heavy rain to the Big Island of Hawaii.  Lala could drop 10 to 15 inches (2554 to 380 mm) of rain on the eastern slopes where the wind blows of the slope.  Heavy rain is likely to cause flash floods in some locations.

Flood Watches are in effect for the Big Island of Hawaii and for Maui.

Tropical Storm Calvin Brings Gusty Winds and Rain to Hawaii

Tropical Storm Calvin brought gusty winds and rain to Hawaii on Wednesday. At 8:00 a.m. EDT on Wednesday the center of Tropical Storm Calvin was located at latitude 17.7°N and longitude 155.6°W which put it about 160 miles (260 km) south of Hilo, Hawaii. Calvin was moving toward the west at 20 m.p.h. (32 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 1003 mb.

A Tropical Storm Warning was in effect for Hawaii County.

After Tropical Storm Calvin strengthened late on Tuesday, it started to weaken again on Wednesday morning. An upper level trough northwest of Hawaii was producing southwesterly winds that were blowing toward the top of Calvin’s circulation. There were strong easterly winds in the lower levels of the atmosphere. The combination of southwesterly winds in the upper troposphere and easterly winds in the lower levels of the atmosphere caused strong vertical wind shear. The winds in the upper troposphere blew the top part of Tropical Storm Calvin toward the northeast. The strong easterly winds near the surface pushed the lower part of Calvin quickly toward the west.

The strong vertical wind shear caused Tropical Storm Calvin to weaken on Wednesday morning. The center of Calvin at the surface was passing south of the Big Island of Hawaii. Bands revolving around the center at the surface consisted primarily of showers and lower clouds. Thunderstorms were occurring in bands in the northern side of Tropical Storm Calvin where the wind was pushing air up the eastern slopes of the Hawaiian Islands. Winds to tropical storm force extended out 140 miles (220 km) in the northern side of Calvin’s circulation. Winds in the southern part of Calvin were blowing at less than tropical storm force.

Tropical Storm Calvin will move through an environment unfavorable for intensification during the next 24 hours. Calvin will move over water where the Sea Surface Temperatures are near 26˚C. However, the upper level trough northwest of Hawaii will continue to cause strong vertical wind shear. Tropical Storm Calvin will weaken to a tropical depression during the next 24 hours.

Tropical Storm Calvin will continue to produce gusty winds and locally heavy rain in Hawaii during the next 24 hours. The strongest wind gusts will occur at higher elevations. Calvin could cause isolated minor wind damage. Locally heavy rain could cause flooding in some locations. Flood Watches are in effect for the Big Island of Hawaii, Maui, Molokai, Lanai, and Kahoolawe.