UPDATE: Hilda Moves Farther South

***Updated at 11:15 p.m. to include information from the 11 p.m. Central Pacific Hurricane Center advisory.***

By: Jamilia Epping

As of 11 p.m. Tropical Storm Hilda was located about 240 miles southeast of Hilo, moving west at 5 miles per hour, a slight increase in forward speed from earlier advisories.

The Central Pacific Hurricane Center reports that the storm has continued to hold maximum sustained winds of 45 mph but is still expected to weaken Thursday and into Friday.

Rainfall along the north portion of Tropical Storm Hilda is expected, as well as large swells that may produce high surf along east and southeast facing shores. A High Surf Advisory is currently in effect for east facing shores on the Big Island. A Flash Flood Watch is expected to go into effect Thursday morning at 6 a.m.

***Updated at 5:00 p.m. with information from the 5 p.m. Central Pacific Hurricane Center update.***

By Meteorologist Malika Dudley

Hilda continues to move west at 3 mph. Maximum sustained winds are still at 45 mph as the system hangs on to tropical storm status.

CPHC 5 p.m. track for Hilda on August 12, 2015

The track has again been nudged farther south but we need to remember that we are still very exposed to the wetter, stronger side of the storm and 4 to 8 inches of rain are expected for the Big Island. Southeast slopes could even see up to a foot of rain.

Hilda is expected to continue weakening and moving in a westward direction. Because of this, the Tropical Storm Watch has been dropped. The Tropical Storm Warning for all offshore waters has also been cancelled and the High Surf Warning has been downgraded to a High Surf Advisory. The Flash Flood Watch is still expected to go into effect (details below).

Hilda is now located 245 miles SE of Hilo, 295 miles SE of Kailua-Kona and 245 miles ESE of South Point.

***Updated at 3:15 p.m. ***

By Meteorologist Malika Dudley

Hilda is moving so slowly that the Flash Flood Watch, which was supposed to go into effect this evening for the Big Island, has been postponed.

CPHC 11 a.m. track for Hilda on August 12, 2015

The Flash Flood Watch is now in effect from 6:00 a.m. Thursday through 6:00 a.m. Saturday. Abundant moisture is expected for the Big Island with rainfall amounts from 4 to 8 inches and possibly up to a foot for east and southeast facing slopes.

The National Weather Service would like to remind residents that heavy rain events of this size may cause flooding outside of the designated flood zones. Low spots in roads become dangerous and impassable due to severe runoff. High amounts of debris in streams and gulches may clog bridges and culverts resulting in dangerous flooding outside the normal channels and significant property damage.

Remember, it does not have to be raining heavily in your area for flash flooding to occur.

***Updated at 2:15 p.m. to include information from the Central Pacific Hurricane Center’s 2 p.m. update. ***

By: Jamilia Epping

The Central Pacific Hurricane Center reports that as of 2 p.m., Tropical Storm Hilda has picked up and doubled in speed. At 11 a.m., the storm was moving at a rate of 3 miles per hour. That increased to six in three hours.

NOAA Satellite image, as of 1:#0 p.m.

Maximum sustained winds remain at about 45 mph and haven’t seen a drop since the last advisory. Tropical Storm Hilda is moving a westerly direction. That is forecast to continue with an increase in forward speed through Friday.

A Tropical Storm Watch remains in effect for the Big Island as the potential of tropical storm conditions are possible within the next 48 hours. In addition, a High Surf Warning remains in effect until 6 a.m. Thursday as large and dangerous surf along east facing shores is forecast. At 6 p.m. Wednesday, a Flash Flood Watch will go into effect on the Big Island.

***Updated at 11:15 a.m. to include information from the Central Pacific Hurricane Center’s 11 a.m. outlook.***

By Meteorologist Malika Dudley

As of 11 a.m., Hilda was located southeast of Hilo, moving to the north-northwest at about 3 miles per hour. The system still has maximum sustained winds at 45 mph. There has not been much change with the system since the last update. All weather alerts and advisories remain posted at this time. If Hilda continues to track west or weakens further the tropical storm alerts may be dropped later today.

***Updated at 8:20 a.m. to include information from the Central Pacific Hurricane Center’s 8 a.m. outlook.***

By: Jamilia Epping

Tropical Storm Hilda is about 270 miles from Hilo with a slight shift in direction since the Central Pacific Hurricane Center’s 5 a.m. update.

National Weather Service satellite image, as of 6:30 a.m.

As of 8 a.m., the storm was located southeast of Hilo, moving to the north-northwest at about 1 mile per hour.

It is expected that the storm will continue its present movement Wednesday before gradually turning toward the west and increasing forward speed Wednesday night through Thursday.

CPHC reports that Tropical Storm Hilda will continue to weaken overall in strength.

***Original story posted at 5:54 a.m. ***

By Meteorologist Malika Dudley / Email: malika@bigislandnow.com

As of the 5:00 a.m. Central Pacific Hurricane Center update, Hilda has maximum sustained winds near 45 mph and continues its weakening trend. Strong high level westerly winds continue to take their toll on the system. Hilda is expected to be a tropical depression by tonight or Thursday when it drops below 39 mph and a remnant low by Thursday night.

CPHC satellite and track 5 a.m. August 12, 2015

The system is moving northwest near 5 mph and this general motion is expected to continue today followed by a gradual turn to the west and an increase in forward speed tonight through Thursday night.

The storm is located 250 miles SE of Hilo, 305 miles ESE of Kailua-Kona and 260 miles ESE of South Point. Tropical storm force winds extend up to 70 miles from the center.

The cumulative chance for tropical storm conditions island-wide  ranges from 2 to 8 percent. Although changes are still possible, the latest forecast is for sustained winds to remain below tropical storm force of 39 mph.

Due to uncertainty in the short term, the Tropical Storm Watch remains posted for the Big Island. There are no other changes to the weather alerts that were posted yesterday. Just because the track was shifted south yesterday doesn’t change the fact that we are still on the stronger and wetter side of the storm.

The rainfall accumulation (and surf height) predictions from yesterday stand with 6 to 12 inches of rain expected. Up to 18 inches are possible in higher terrain. See today’s daily forecast for specifics on the many advisories and warnings currently in effect. You can also click here for your surf report.

If Hilda stays on its current track, the current weather forecast calls for mostly cloudy skies for the Big Island today through Friday. Breezy conditions are expected with northeasterly winds blowing from 15 to 20 mph with higher gusts. Locally heavy rainfall is possible with a slight chance of thunderstorms. Frequent showers are expected for windward areas with scattered showers forecasted for leeward areas. A more detailed forecast will be posted once the situation shakes out a bit more.