Hurricane Warning Issued for O‘ahu

UPDATE: 11 AM HST Saturday, July 25, 2020

A hurricane warning has been issued for O‘ahu as Hurricane Douglas continues to move west-northwest toward the Hawaiian Islands.

WATCHES AND WARNINGS

A Hurricane Warning is in effect for:

• O‘ahu

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

A Tropical Storm Watch is in effect for:

• Kaua‘i County, including the islands of Kaua‘i and Ni‘ihau.

A Hurricane Warning means that hurricane conditions are expected somewhere within the warning area within 36 hours.

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 the next 36 to 48 hours.

A Tropical Storm Watch means that tropical storm conditions are possible within the watch area, in this case within the next 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.

As of 11 a.m., the eye of Hurricane Douglas was located near latitude 19.5 North, longitude 150.1 West. Douglas is moving toward the west-northwest near 18 mph (30 km/h). This motion is expected to continue through the next couple of days, with a slight decrease in forward speed today. On the forecast track,
Douglas will be near the main Hawaiian Islands late tonight and will move over parts of the state Sunday and Monday.

Maximum sustained winds are near 90 mph (150 km/h) with higher gusts. Gradual weakening is expected 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 110 miles (175 km). The estimated minimum central pressure is 984 mb (29.06 inches).

HAZARDS AFFECTING LAND

WIND: Hurricane conditions are expected on O‘ahu on Sunday and Sunday night and are possible across Maui County and the Big Island late tonight and Sunday. Tropical Storm conditions are expected across Hawai‘i County and Maui County beginning late tonight or Sunday. Tropical Storm conditions are possible across Kaua‘i County late Sunday.

SURF: Large swells generated by Douglas are expected to affect the Hawaiian Islands during the next couple of days, and storm surge of two to four feet above normal tides is expected near the center of Douglas. The large swells and surge will produce life-threatening and potentially destructive surf along exposed shores.

RAINFALL: Heavy rainfall associated with Douglas is expected to affect portions of the main Hawaiian Islands from late tonight through Monday. Total rain accumulations of five to 10 inches are possible from Maui County westward to Kaua‘i County, with the greatest amounts in elevated terrain. This rain may result in life-threatening flash flooding and landslides, as well as rapid water level rises on small streams. Douglas is expected to produce two to five inches of rainfall over the northern half of the Big Island.