Douglas Weakens to Category 2 Hurricane

UPDATE: 1100 PM HST Friday, July 24, 2020

Douglas weakens slightly and is now classified as a category 2 hurricane. A Tropical Storm Warning has been issued for Hawai‘i County and Maui County, including the islands of Maui, Lana‘i, Moloka‘i and Kaho‘olawe.

SUMMARY OF WATCHES AND WARNING IN EFFECT

A Tropical Storm Warning is in effect for:

• Hawai‘i County
• Maui County, including the islands of Maui, Lana‘i, Moloka‘i and Kaho‘olawe

A Hurricane Watch is in effect for:

• Hawai‘i County
• Maui County, including the islands of Maui, Lana‘i, Moloka‘i and Kaho‘olawe
•  O‘ahu

A Tropical Storm Warning means that tropical storm conditions are expected somewhere within the warning area within 36 hours.

A Hurricane Watch means that hurricane conditions are possible within the watch area, in this case within 36 to 48 hours.

Interests elsewhere in the main Hawaiian Islands, and in the Papahanaumokuakea Marine National Monument, should monitor the progress of this system.

At 11 p.m., the center of Hurricane Douglas was located near latitude 18.5 North, longitude 146.7 West. Douglas is moving toward the west-northwest near 18 mph (30 km/h). This motion is expected to continue through Saturday, followed by a slight decrease in forward speed and a turn toward the west. On the
forecast track, Douglas will be near the main Hawaiian Islands Saturday night through Sunday night.

Maximum sustained winds are near 110 mph (175 km/h) with higher gusts. Douglas is a category 2 hurricane on the Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Wind Scale. Gradual weakening is expected to continue through the weekend. However, Douglas is still forecast to be near hurricane strength when it nears the islands.

Hurricane-force winds extend outward up to 30 miles (45 km) from the center and tropical-storm-force winds extend outward up to 115 miles (185 km). The estimated minimum central pressure is 972 mb (28.71 inches).

HAZARDS AFFECTING LAND

WIND: Hurricane conditions are possible across portions of the main Hawaiian Islands late Saturday night through Monday. Tropical Storm conditions are expected across Hawai‘i County and Maui County beginning Saturday night or Sunday.

SURF: Large swells generated by Douglas are expected to affect the Hawaiian Islands this weekend. These swells are likely to cause life-threatening surf and rip current conditions for a couple of days.

RAINFALL: Heavy rainfall associated with Douglas is expected to affect portions of the main Hawaiian Islands from late Saturday night through Monday. Total rain accumulations of five to 10 inches with locally higher amounts will be possible on the smaller islands, especially across elevated terrain. This rain may result in life-threatening flash flooding and landslides, as well as rapid water level rises on small streams. Three to six inches of rainfall are possible on the Big Island, with locally higher amounts.