UPDATE 2: Barbara Moving WNW at Near Cat 5 Strength

1:30 p.m., July 2, 2019, Hurricane Barbara. PC: NOAA

UPDATE 2: 5 PM: HST Tuesday, July 2, 2019: NWS National Hurricane Center Miami FL 

BARBARA RAPIDLY INTENSIFIES TO NEAR CATEGORY 5 STRENGTH—WEAKENING EXPECTED TO BEGIN ON WEDNESDAY

At 5 p.m. HST, the center of the eye of powerful Hurricane Barbara was located near latitude 13.1 N, longitude, 124.6 W.

Barbara is moving toward the WNW near 14 mph and this general motion is forecast to continue for the next day or so, followed by a turn toward the northwest on Thursday.

By Friday, Barbara is expected to turn back toward the west with an increase in forward speed.

Maximum sustained winds have increased to near 155 mph, with higher gusts.

Barbara remains a strong category 4 hurricane on the Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Wind Scale.

Barbara has probably peaked in intensity, although another 5-knot increase in strength tonight during the convective maximum period is a distinct possibility, which would bring the powerful hurricane to
category 5 status.

A steady to rapid weakening trend is forecast to begin by Wednesday afternoon.

Currently, hurricane-force winds extend outward up to 45 miles from the center and tropical-storm-force winds extend outward up to 185 miles.

Barbara is expected to degenerate into a post-tropical low by the time the cyclone moves west of 140ºW longitude and into the Central Pacific basin.

SUMMARY

LOCATION: 13.1N 124.6W
ABOUT 1175 MILES WSW OF THE SOUTHERN TIP OF BAJA CALIFORNIA
MAXIMUM SUSTAINED WINDS: 155 MPH
PRESENT MOVEMENT: WNW OR 285 DEGREES AT 14 MPH
MINIMUM CENTRAL PRESSURE: 27.55 INCHES

WATCHES AND WARNINGS
There are no coastal watches or warnings in effect.

HAZARDS AFFECTING LAND
None.

NEXT ADVISORY
Next complete advisory at 11 PM HST.

2 PM HST, Tuesday, July 2, 2019: Central Pacific Hurricane Center Honolulu HI

July 2, 2019, 10 a.m., Hurricane Barbara. PC: NOAA

For the central North Pacific between 140°W and 180°W, the National Hurricane Center in Miami, Florida is issuing advisories on Hurricane Barbara, centered about 2,100 miles east of Hilo, Hawai‘i. Barbara is expected to move into the Central Pacific Hurricane Center area of responsibility on Saturday.

By the time Barbara reaches the Central Pacific (140°W), it is likely to be a tropical storm or even a remnant low. The eastern edge of Hawai‘i Island is at about 155°W.

Elsewhere, no tropical cyclones are expected during the next five days.

UPDATE: 11 AM HST, Tuesday, July 2, 2019: NWS National Hurricane Center Miami FL 

LARGE AND POWERFUL CATEGORY FOUR HURRICANE BARBARA CONTINUES TO MOVE WNW OVER THE OPEN EASTERN PACIFIC

Barbara is a large and powerful hurricane.

At 11 a.m. HST, the center of Hurricane Barbara was located near latitude 12.9 N, longitude 123.2 W.

Barbara is moving toward the WNW near 13 mph and this general motion is forecast to continue for the next day or so, followed by a turn toward the NW on Thursday.

By Friday, Barbara is expected to turn W with an increase in forward speed.

Maximum sustained winds are near 140 mph, with higher gusts.

Barbara is a category 4 hurricane on the Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Wind Scale.

There is still a small window of opportunity today and this evening for additional strengthening of Barbara.

However, a weakening trend is expected to begin on Wednesday.

Hurricane-force winds extend outward up to 35 miles from the center and tropical-storm-force winds extend outward up to 185 miles.

By the time Barbara reaches the Central Pacific (140°W), it is likely to be a tropical storm or even a remnant low. The eastern edge of Hawai‘i Island is at about 155°W.

SUMMARY

LOCATION: 12.9°N 123.2°W
ABOUT 1110 MILES SW OF THE SOUTHERN TIP OF BAJA CALIFORNIA
MAXIMUM SUSTAINED WINDS: 40 MPH
PRESENT MOVEMENT: WNW OR 290 DEGREES AT 13 MPH
MINIMUM CENTRAL PRESSURE: 27.91 INCHES

WATCHES AND WARNINGS
There are no coastal watches or warnings in effect.

HAZARDS AFFECTING LAND
None.

NEXT ADVISORY
Next complete advisory at 5 PM HST.

5 AM HST, Tuesday, July 2, 2019: NWS National Hurricane Center Miami FL 

July 2, 2019, 6:30 a.m. PC: NOAA

BARBARA INTENSIFIED RAPIDLY EARLY THIS MORNING—THE HURRICANE COULD STRENGTHEN A LITTLE MORE

Barbara’s eyewall is no longer broken and has been able to shield itself from the dry air that had been penetrating the inner core. An eye is also becoming more apparent in infrared satellite imagery.

At 5 AM HST, the eye of Hurricane Barbara was located near latitude 12.5°N, longitude 122.2°W.

The Big ISland is located at about 155°W.

Barbara is moving toward the NNW near 14 mph.

A decrease in forward speed is expected to begin today, followed by a turn toward the NW in a day or two.

Satellite data indicate that the maximum sustained winds have increased to near 130 mph, with higher gusts.

Barbara is a category 4 hurricane on the Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Wind Scale.

Some additional strengthening is possible today, but weakening is likely to begin on Wednesday and continue into Thursday.

Barbara could lose its deep convection and become a post-tropical cyclone over the weekend.

Hurricane-force winds extend outward up to 25 miles from the center and tropical-storm-force winds extend outward up to 185 miles.

The estimated minimum central pressure is 28 inches.

SUMMARY

LOCATION: 12.5N 122.2W
ABOUT 1080 MILES SW OF THE SOUTHERN TIP OF BAJA CALIFORNIA
MAXIMUM SUSTAINED WINDS: 130 MPH
PRESENT MOVEMENT: WNW OR 290 DEGREES AT 14 MPH
MINIMUM CENTRAL PRESSURE: 28 INCHES

WATCHES AND WARNINGS
There are no coastal watches or warnings in effect.

HAZARDS AFFECTING LAND
None.

NEXT ADVISORY
Next complete advisory at 11 AM HST.

2 AM HST, Tuesday, July 2 2019: NWS Central Pacific Hurricane Center Honolulu HI

For the central North Pacific between 140°W and 180°W, the National Hurricane Center in Miami, Florida, is issuing advisories on Hurricane Barbara, centered about 2,280 miles east-southeast of Hilo, Hawai‘i.

Barbara is expected to move into the Central Pacific Hurricane Center area of responsibility on Saturday.