As of 11AM Thursday, Hurricane Douglas remains a Category 3 hurricane with maximum sustained winds at 125mph.
Douglas is currently just over 1,200 miles ESE of Hilo, moving to the WNW at 18mph. Hurricane force winds extend out 30 miles from the center of Douglas and tropical storm force winds extend up to 90 miles from the center of the storm. Gradual weakening of Douglas is still expected as it approaches the Hawaiian Islands by Sunday.
There are no watches or warnings currently posted for Douglas; however, that will likely change in future reports. The current forecast track of the storm takes the center of Douglas close to Hilo and the rest of the Big Island by Sunday morning. Other islands are likely to be impacted by Douglas as well. Even if Douglas weakens to a tropical storm as predicted, Maui County, Oahu, and Kauai could still see very heavy rain and damaging winds.
Stay tuned to this iHeart radio station for the latest on Hurricane Douglas. Stay up to date with full information from the National Hurricane Center and the Central Pacific Hurricane Center by bookmarking this station's "Hawaii Storm Watch" page.
From the National Hurricane Center
BULLETIN
Hurricane Douglas Advisory Number 14
NWS National Hurricane Center Miami FL EP082020
1100 AM HST Thu Jul 23 2020
...DOUGLAS STRENGTHENING AS IT APPROACHES THE CENTRAL PACIFIC...
SUMMARY OF 1100 AM HST...2100 UTC...INFORMATION
-----------------------------------------------
LOCATION...14.1N 137.3W
ABOUT 1235 MI...1990 KM ESE OF HILO HAWAII
MAXIMUM SUSTAINED WINDS...125 MPH...205 KM/H
PRESENT MOVEMENT...WNW OR 290 DEGREES AT 18 MPH...30 KM/H
MINIMUM CENTRAL PRESSURE...959 MB...28.32 INCHES
WATCHES AND WARNINGS
--------------------
There are no coastal watches or warnings in effect.
Interests in the Hawaiian Islands should monitor the progress of
Douglas. Watches could be issued on Friday for a portion of the
area.
DISCUSSION AND OUTLOOK
----------------------
At 1100 AM HST (2100 UTC), the eye of Hurricane Douglas was located
near latitude 14.1 North, longitude 137.3 West. Douglas is moving
toward the west-northwest near 18 mph (30 km/h), and this motion is
expected to continue for the next few days with a gradual decrease
in forward speed and a slight turn toward the west. On the forecast
track Douglas will approach the Hawaiian Islands on Sunday.
Maximum sustained winds have increased to near 125 mph (205 km/h)
with higher gusts. Douglas is a category 3 hurricane on the
Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Wind Scale. Little change in strength is
expected today, with gradual weakening expected to begin on Friday
and continue through the weekend.
Hurricane-force winds extend outward up to 30 miles (45 km) from the
center and tropical-storm-force winds extend outward up to 90 miles
(150 km).
The estimated minimum central pressure is 959 mb (28.32 inches).
HAZARDS AFFECTING LAND
----------------------
None.
Key messages for Douglas can be found in the Tropical Cyclone
Discussion under AWIPS header MIATCDEP3 and WMO header WTPZ43 KNHC.
NEXT ADVISORY
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Next complete advisory at 500 PM HST.