Hurricane Douglas continues its march towards the Hawaiian Islands.
As of 5PM Thursday, Douglas is now slightly over 1,100 miles ESE of Hilo, moving to the WNW at 18mph. Maximum sustained winds are slightly higher than the Thursday 11AM briefing, increasing to 130MPH, making Douglas a Category 4 hurricane. Hurricane force winds extend 30 miles from the eye of this storm.
Douglas is still expected to weaken significantly as it approaches the Big Island and the rest of the Hawaiian Islands on Sunday, but is expected to maintain hurricane strength throughout this period. Hurricane watches for the Big Island and other watches are expected to start being issued on Friday.
Stay tuned to this iHeart radio station for the latest on Hurricane Douglas as it approaches Hawaii. Bookmark this station's "Hawaii Storm Watch" page for the latest information from the National Hurricane Center and the Central Pacific Hurricane Center.
From the National Hurricane Center:
BULLETIN
Hurricane Douglas Advisory Number15
NWS National Hurricane Center Miami FLEP082020
500 PM HST Thu Jul 23 2020
...POWERFUL HURRICANE DOUGLAS SLIGHTLY STRONGER AS IT APPROACHES THE
CENTRAL PACIFIC...
SUMMARY OF 500 PM HST...0300 UTC...INFORMATION
----------------------------------------------
LOCATION...14.9N 138.8W
ABOUT 1125 MI...1810 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 500 PM HST (0300 UTC), the center of Hurricane Douglas was
located near latitude 14.9 North, longitude 138.8 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 have increased to near 130 mph (215 km/h)
with higher gusts.Douglas is a category 4 hurricane on the
Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Wind Scale.Gradual weakening 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.
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 1100 PM HST.