5 PM: Hurricane ‘Watch’ Changed to ‘Warning’ for O‘ahu

The Centra Pacific Hurricane Center reports that a Hurricane Warning is in effect for O‘ahu and Maui County including the islands of Lana‘i, Moloka‘i and Kaho‘olawe and Hawai‘i County.

A Hurricane Watch is in effect for Kaua‘i County,including the island of Ni‘ihau

A Hurricane Warning means that hurricane conditions are expected somewhere within the warning area. A warning is typically issued 36 hours before the anticipated first occurrence of tropical-storm-force winds, conditions that make outside preparations difficult or dangerous. Preparations to protect life and property should be rushed to completion.

A Hurricane Watch means that hurricane conditions are possible within the watch area. A watch is typically issued 48 hours before the anticipated first occurrence of tropical-storm-force winds, conditions that make outside preparations difficult or dangerous.

At 5 p.m., the eye of Hurricane Lane was located near latitude 15.9 North, longitude 156.5 West. Lane is moving toward the northwest near 8 mph (13 km/h). This motion is expected to continue tonight, with a turn toward the north and a slower forward motion expected on Friday. A turn back toward the west is expected on Saturday. On the forecast track, the center of Lane will move very close to or over the main Hawaiian Islands Thursday and Friday.

Maximum sustained winds are near 145 mph (230 km/h) with higher gusts. Lane is a powerful category 4 hurricane on the Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Wind Scale. Some weakening is forecast during the next few days, but Lane is expected to remain a hurricane as it approaches the islands.

Hurricane-force winds extend outward up to 40 miles (65 km) from the center and tropical-storm-force winds extend outward up to 140 miles (220 km).

The estimated minimum central pressure is 939 mb (27.73 inches).