Hurricane Lane Now Category 3, Weakening is Forecast

UPDATE Sunday, Aug. 19, 8 a.m.: The Central Pacific Hurricane Center reports that as of 5 a.m., Hurricane Lane is a Category 3 hurricane, approximately 890 miles ESE of Hilo with sustained winds of 120 MPH moving west at approximately 15 MPH.

At this point, it is too early to see any impacts to Hawai‘i Island.  No watches or warnings have been issued by the Central Pacific Hurricane Center.

Original Post: The Central Pacific Hurricane Center reports that at 11 p.m. on Saturday, Aug. 18, 2018, the center of Hurricane Lane was located near latitude 12.9 North, longitude 142.3 West. Lane is moving toward the west near 16 mph (26 km/h), and this general motion is expected to persist through Sunday. Lane is expected to continue moving toward the west Sunday night and Monday, but at a slightly slower forward speed.

Maximum sustained winds are now near 125 mph (205 km/h) with higher gusts. Lane is a category 3 hurricane on the Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Wind Scale. Some additional weakening is forecast during the next couple of days.

Hurricane-force winds extend outward up to 25 miles (35 km) from the center and tropical-storm-force winds extend outward up to 105 miles (165 km).

The estimated minimum central pressure is 956 mb (28.23 inches).