11 AM: National Weather Service Update

Hurricane Lane, Aug. 23, 2018, 9:30 a.m.

Hurricane Lane, Aug. 23, 2018, 11 a.m: NWS Central Pacific Hurricane Center Update

A Hurricane Warning is in effect for Hawai‘i County, Maui County and O‘ahu. A Hurricane Watch is in effect for Kaua‘i and Ni‘ihau.

At 11 a.m. the center of Hurricane Lane was located near latitude 17.3 north, longitude 157.5 west, 200 miles SSW of Kailua-Kona,

Lane is moving toward the northwest near 7 mph. A slow northward motion is expected to begin today. A turn toward the west is expected Saturday and Sunday, with an increase in forward speed. On the forecast track, the center of Lane will move over, or dangerously close to portions of the main Hawaiian islands later today through Friday.

Maximum sustained winds are near 130 mph, with higher gusts. Lane remains a powerful category 4 hurricane on the Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Wind Scale.

Some weakening is forecast during the next 48 hours, but Lane is expected to remain a hurricane as it draws closer to the islands.

Hurricane-force winds extend outward up to 35 miles from the center and tropical-storm-force winds extend outward up to 140 miles.

NOAA Buoy 51002 located about 250 miles SW of the Big Island reported a peak wind of 107 mph as the northwest eyewall of Lane passed over. The buoy is now reporting light winds in the eye of the hurricane.

WIND: Tropical storm conditions are expected on portions of the Big Island today, with hurricane conditions expected in some areas by tonight. Tropical storm conditions are expected to begin over portions of Maui County later today, with hurricane conditions expected in some areas by Friday. Tropical storm conditions are expected to begin on O‘ahu late tonight, with hurricane conditions expected Friday into Friday night. Tropical storm or hurricane conditions are possible on Kauai on Saturday.

RAINFALL: Rain bands will continue to overspread the Hawaiian Islands well ahead of Lane. Excessive rainfall associated with this slow moving hurricane will continue to impact the Hawaiian Islands into the weekend, leading to significant and life-threatening flash flooding and landslides. Lane is expected to produce total rain accumulations of 10 to 20 inches, with localized amounts in excess of 30 inches over the Hawaiian Islands. Nearly 20 inches of rain has already fallen on portions of the Big Island.

SURF: As Lane is slow-moving, large swells generated by the hurricane will severely impact the Hawaiian Islands over the next couple of days. These swells will produce very large and damaging surf along exposed west and south facing shorelines. A prolonged period of high surf will likely lead to significant coastal erosion.

STORM SURGE: The combination of a dangerous storm surge and large breaking waves will raise water levels by as much as 2 to 4 feet above normal tide levels along south and west facing shores near the center of Lane. The surge will be accompanied by large and destructive waves.

NEXT ADVISORY

Next intermediate advisory at 2 p.m.
Next complete advisory at 5 p.m.