Tropical Storm Saudel Strengthens

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Tropical Storm Saudel strengthened on Thursday as it moved east of the Marianas.  At 11:00 p.m. EDT on Thursday the center of Tropical Storm Saudel was located at latitude 15.1°N and longitude 148.7°E which put the center about 215 miles (350 km) east of Saipan.  Saudel was moving toward the north-northwest at 14 m.p.h. (22 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.

Typhoon Warnings are in effect for Pagan and Agrihan.

A Tropical Storm Warning is in effect for Alamagan.

A Typhoon Watch is also in effect for Alamagan.

Tropical Storm Watches are in effect for Tinian and Saipan.

Tropical Storm Saudel strengthened on Thursday.  Even though Saudel strengthened, the distribution of thunderstorms was still asymmetrical.  Thunderstorms were occurring mainly in bands in the southern half of Saudel’s circulation.  Bands in the northern side of Tropical Storm Saudel consisted primarily of showers and lower clouds.  Storms near the center of Saudel generated upper level divergence that pumped mass away to the south and west of the tropical storm.  The removal of mass caused the surface pressure to decrease.

The distribution of wind speeds in Tropical Storm Saudel was also asymmetrical.  Winds to tropical storm force extended out 100 miles (160 km) in the southern side of Saudel’s circulation.  Winds to tropical storm force only extended out 45 miles (75 km) in the northern side of Tropical Storm Saudel.

Tropical Storm Saudel will move through an environment that will become more favorable for intensification during the next 24 hours.  Saudel will move over water where the Sea Surface Temperatures are near 29°C.  It will move into a region where the upper level winds are weak and there will be little vertical wind shear.  Tropical Storm Saudel will intensify during the next 24 hours.  Saudel could intensify rapidly at times.  Tropical Storm Saudel is likely to strengthen to a typhoon on Friday.  Saudel could intensify to the equivalent of a major hurricane during the weekend.

Tropical Storm Saudel will move around the southwestern part of a high pressure system that is over the Western North Pacific Ocean.  The high pressure system will steer Saudel toward the northwest during the next 24 hours.  On its anticipated track, the center of Tropical Storm Saudel will be near Agrihan and Pagan in less than 24 hours.

Tropical Storm Saudel will bring strong winds and heavy rain to Pagan and Agrihan.  Heavy rain is likely to cause flash floods.  Saudel will also bring gusty winds and heavy rain to Alamagan.  Tropical Storm Saudel could bring gusty winds to Tinian and Saipan.

Tropical Depression Forms East-southeast of Hawaii

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Tropical Depression Two-C formed east-southeast of Hawaii on Thursday morning.  At 11:00 a.m. EDT on Thursday the center of Tropical Depression Two-C was located at latitude 11.9°N and longitude 143.1°W which put the center about 960 miles (1545 km) east-southeast of Hilo, Hawaii.  The tropical depression was moving toward the west-northwest at 16 m.p.h. (26 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.

A low pressure system over the Central North Pacific Ocean east-southeast of Hawaii strengthened on Thursday morning and the U.S. National Hurricane Center designated the system as Tropical Depression Two-C.

The distribution of thunderstorms in Tropical Depression Two-C was asymmetrical.  Thunderstorms were occurring in bands in the western side of Tropical Depression Two-C.  Bands in the eastern side of the tropical depression consisted primarily of showers and lower clouds.  Storms near the center of circulation generated upper level divergence that pumped mass away to the west of the tropical depression.  The removal of mass caused the surface pressure to start to decrease.

Tropical Depression Two-C will move through an environment that will be somewhat favorable for intensification during the next 24 hours.  The tropical depression will move over water where the Sea Surface Temperatures are near 28°C.  It will move under the southern part of an upper level ridge that is over the Eastern and Central North Pacific Ocean.  The upper level ridge will produce easterly winds that will blow toward the top of Tropical Depression Two-C.  Those winds will cause moderate vertical wind shear.  The vertical wind shear will inhibit intensification but the wind shear will probably not be enough to prevent intensification.  Tropical Depression Two-C is likely to intensify slowly during the next 24 hours.

Tropical Depression Two-C will move around the southern side of a high pressure system that is over the Central North Pacific Ocean.  The high pressure system will steer the tropical depression toward the west-northwest during the next 24 hours.  On its anticipated track, Tropical Depression Two-C will move closer to Hawaii.

Elsewhere over the Central Pacific Ocean, Hurricane Lala was nearing the Papahanaumokuakea Marine National Monument.  At 11:00 a.m. EDT on Thursday the center of Hurricane Lala was located at latitude 24.2°N and longitude 172.2°W which put the center about 175 miles (280 km) southeast of Lisianski Island.  Lala was moving toward the north-northwest at 9 m.p.h. (15 km/h).  The maximum sustained wind speed was 100 m.p.h. (160 km/h) and there were wind gusts to 120 m.p.h. (195 km/h).  The minimum surface pressure was 969 mb.

A Hurricane Warning is in effect for the Papahanaumokuakea Marine National Monument from Lisianski Island to Maro Reef.

A Tropical Storm Warning is in effect for the Papahanaumokuakea Marine National Monument from Maro Reef to French Frigate Shoals.

Hurricane Lala Moves North

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Hurricane Lala moved north toward the Papahanaumokuakea Marine National Monument on Wednesday.  At 5:00 p.m. EDT on Wednesday the center of Hurricane Lala was located at latitude 22.2°N and longitude 171.0°W which put the center about 330 miles (530 km) southeast of Lisianski Island.  Lala was moving toward the north-northwest at 9 m.p.h. (15 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. (220 km/h).  The minimum surface pressure was 955 mb.

A Hurricane Warning is in effect for the Papahanaumokuakea Marine National Monument from Lisianski Island to Maro Reef.

A Tropical Storm Warning is in effect for the Papahanaumokuakea Marine National Monument from Maro Reef to French Frigate Shoals.

Hurricane Lala maintained its intensity for much of Wednesday.  Lala was exhibiting signs of starting to weaken slowly on Wednesday afternoon.  An upper level trough that was south of the Aleutian Islands was producing southwesterly winds that were blowing toward the top of Lala’s circulation.  Those winds were causing the vertical wind shear to increase.  The increase in vertical wind shear was likely the cause of the weakening of Hurricane Lala.

There was still a small circular eye at the center of Hurricane Lala.  The eye was surrounded by a ring of thunderstorms and the strongest winds were occurring in that ring of storms.  Bands of showers and thunderstorms were revolving around the core of Hurricane Lala.  Storms near the core of Lala generated upper level divergence that pumped mass away from the hurricane.  The removal of mass in the upper levels was slightly less than the convergence of mass in the lower levels of the atmosphere.  So, the surface pressure started to increase slowly on Wednesday afternoon.

The distribution of wind speeds in Hurricane Lala was still fairly symmetrical on Wednesday afternoon.  Winds to hurricane force extended out 30 miles (50 km) from the center of Lala’s circulation.  Winds to tropical storm force extended out 115 miles (185 km) from the center of Hurricane Lala.

The Hurricane Intensity Index (HII) for Hurricane Lala is 22.1.  The Hurricane Size Index (HSI) is 11.0 and the Hurricane Wind intensity Size Index (HWISI) is 33.1.  Hurricane Lala is similar in size and intensity to Hurricane Dennis when Dennis hit Northwest Florida in 2005.

Hurricane Lala will move through 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.  However, the upper level trough that is south of Aleutian Islands will continue to cause the vertical wind shear to increase on Thursday.  Hurricane Lala will continue to weaken during the next 24 hours.

The upper level trough south of the Aleutian Islands will steer Hurricane Lala toward the north on Thursday.  On its anticipated track, Hurricane Lala will reach the Papahanaumokuakea Marine National Monument on Thursday night.

Hurricane Lala will bring strong winds and heavy rain to parts of the Papahanaumokuakea Marine National Monument.  The winds around Hurricane Lala will also cause high surf conditions.

Tropical Storm Saudel Forms Northeast of Chuuk

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Tropical Storm Saudel formed over the Western North Pacific Ocean northeast of Chuuk on Wednesday.  At 5:00 a.m. EDT on Wednesday the center of Tropical Storm Saudel was located at latitude 8.9°N and longitude 153.9°E which put the center about 165 miles (265 km) northeast of Chuuk.  Saudel was moving toward the north at 5 m.p.h. (8 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 999 mb.

A low pressure system over the Western North Pacific Ocean northeast of Chuuk strengthened on Tuesday night and the Japan Meteorological Agency designated the system as Tropical Storm Saudel.

The distribution of thunderstorms in Tropical Storm Saudel was asymmetrical.  Thunderstorms were occurring in bands in the western side of Saudel’s circulation.  Bands in the eastern side of Tropical Storm Saudel consisted primarily of showers and lower clouds.  Storms near the center of Saudel generated upper level divergence that pumped mass away to the west of the tropical storm.  The removal of mass caused the surface pressure to decrease.

The distribution of wind speeds in Tropical Storm Saudel was also asymmetrical.  Winds to tropical storm force extended out 90 miles (145 km) in the southern side of Saudel’s circulation.  Winds to tropical storm force only extended out 45 miles in the northern side of Tropical Storm Saudel.

Tropical Storm Saudel will move through an environment favorable for intensification during the next 24 hours.  Saudel will move over water where the Sea Surface Temperatures are near 29°C.  It will move under the southern part of an upper level ridge that is east of the Marianas.  The upper level ridge will produce northeasterly winds that will blow toward the top of Saudel’s circulation.  Those winds will cause moderate vertical wind shear.  The moderate vertical wind shear will inhibit intensification, but the wind shear will not be enough to prevent intensification.  Tropical Storm Saudel will intensify during the next 24 hours.  Saudel is forecast to strengthen to a typhoon later this week.

Tropical Storm Saudel will move around the southwestern part of a high pressure system that is over the Western North Pacific Ocean.  The high pressure system will steer Saudel toward the northwest during the next 24 hours.  On its anticipated track, Tropical Storm Saudel will pass north of Chuuk.  Saudel will be near the Northern Marianas in three days.

Lala Rapidly Intensifies to a Major Hurricane

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Hurricane Lala rapidly intensified to a major hurricane west of Hawaii on Tuesday.  At 11:00 p.m. EDT on Tuesday the center of Hurricane Lala was located at latitude 20.7°N and longitude 168.9°W which put the center about 495 miles (795 km) southeast of Lisianski Island.  Lala was moving toward the west-northwest at 9 m.p.h. (15 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 953 mb.

A Hurricane Warning is in effect for the Papahanaumokuakea Marine National Monument from Lisianski Island to Maro Reef

A Tropical Storm Warning is in effect for the Papahanaumokuakea Marine National Monument from Maro Reef to French Frigate Shoals

Hurricane Lala rapidly intensified to a major hurricane west of Hawaii on Tuesday.  A circular eye was present 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 core of Hurricane Lala.  Storms near the core of Lala 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 Lala became more symmetrical when Lala rapidly intensified on Tuesday.  Winds to hurricane force extended out 25 miles (40 km) from the center of Lala’s circulation.  Winds to tropical storm force extended out 105 miles (165 km) from the center of Hurricane Lala.

The Hurricane Intensity Index (HII) for Hurricane Lala is 23.6.  The Hurricane Size Index (HSI) is 8.8 and the Hurricane Wind intensity Size Index (HWISI) is 32.4.  Hurricane Lala is similar in size and intensity to Hurricane Dennis when Dennis hit Northwest Florida in 2005.

Hurricane Lala will move through 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 southern part of an upper level trough that is south of Aleutian Islands.  The upper level trough will produce southwesterly winds that will blow toward the top of Lala’s circulation.  Those winds will cause the vertical wind shear to increase on Wednesday.  Hurricane Lala is likely to start to weaken during the next 24 hours when the vertical wind shear increases.

The upper level trough south of the Aleutian Islands will start to steer Hurricane Lala toward the north on Wednesday.  On its anticipated track, Hurricane Lala will move toward the Papahanaumokuakea Marine National Monument.

Hurricane Lala will bring strong winds and heavy rain to parts of the Papahanaumokuakea Marine National Monument.  The winds around Hurricane Lala will also cause high surf conditions.

Lala Strengthens Back to a Hurricane

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Former Tropical Storm Lala strengthened back to a hurricane on Monday night.  At 5:00 a.m. EDT on Tuesday the center of Hurricane Lala was located at latitude 20.4°N and longitude 166.1°W which put the center about 635 miles (1025 km) southeast of Lisianski Island.  Lala was moving toward the west at 10 m.p.h. (16 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. (130 km/h).  The minimum surface pressure was 985 mb.

Former Tropical Storm Lala strengthened back to a hurricane on Monday night.  A small circular eye 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 core of Hurricane Lala.  Storms near the core of Lala 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 Lala was smaller than Lala was when it moved near the Hawaiian Islands.  Winds to hurricane force extended out 20 miles in the northern side of Lala’s circulation.  Winds to tropical storm force extended out 90 miles (145 km) from the center of Hurricane Lala.

Hurricane Lala will move through an environment that will be 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 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, Hurricane Lala will continue to move into a region of drier air that is also west of Hawaii.  The drier air will inhibit intensification.  Hurricane Lala is likely to intensify during the next 24 hours despite the effects of the drier air.

Hurricane 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-northwest during the next 24 hours.  On its anticipated track, Hurricane Lala will continue to move farther away from Hawaii.

Tropical Storm Lala Moves Away From Hawaii

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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

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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

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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

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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.