Hurricane Douglas continues on a path towards the Hawaiian Islands and maintained its strength through Thursday evening.
As of 11PM HST Thursday, Douglas is a Category 4 hurricane with maximum sustained winds of 130mph. The storm is just over 1,000 miles ESE of Hilo, moving to the WNW at 18mph. Douglas has maintained this speed and trajectory throughout the day on Thursday.
No watches or warnings were issued with this update; however, watches will likely be issued during the day on Friday. High surf conditions are expected across the Hawaiian Islands starting Saturday.
On its current forecast track, Douglas is expected to approach Hawaii Saturday night and affect all islands throughout the day on Sunday, lasting into Monday for the westernmost islands of Oahu, Kauai, and Ni'ihau. Although Douglas is forecast to weaken significantly from its current Category 4 strength, it likely will be a Category 1 hurricane as it approaches Maui and the Big Island and a strong tropical storm for the rest of the island chain.
Stay tuned to this iHeart radio station for the latest on Hurricane Douglas and bookmark the "Hawaii Storm Watch" page on this website for updates on this storm.
From the National Hurricane Center:
BULLETIN
Hurricane Douglas Advisory Number16
NWS National Hurricane Center Miami FLEP082020
1100 PM HST Thu Jul 23 2020
...POWERFUL HURRICANE DOUGLAS ENTERING THE CENTRAL PACIFIC...
SUMMARY OF 1100 PM HST...0900 UTC...INFORMATION
-----------------------------------------------
LOCATION...15.7N 140.3W
ABOUT 1010 MI...1630 KM ESE OF HILO HAWAII
MAXIMUM SUSTAINED WINDS...130 MPH...215 KM/H
PRESENT MOVEMENT...WNW OR 295 DEGREES AT 18 MPH...30 KM/H
MINIMUM CENTRAL PRESSURE...954 MB...28.17 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 PM HST (0900 UTC), the center of Hurricane Douglas was
located near latitude 15.7 North, longitude 140.3 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 Saturday
night, and be near those Islands on Sunday.
Maximum sustained winds are near 130 mph (215 km/h) with higher
gusts.Douglas is a category 4 hurricane on the Saffir-Simpson
Hurricane Wind Scale.Gradual weakening is expected to begin on
Friday and continue through the weekend.Douglas is forecast to be
near hurricane strength when it approaches the Hawaiian Islands.
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 954 mb (28.17 inches).
HAZARDS AFFECTING LAND
----------------------
SURF:Swells generated by Douglas are expected to begin affecting
portions of the Hawaiian Islands on Saturday.These swells are
likely to cause life-threatening surf and rip current conditions.
Please consult products from your local weather office.