Tropical Storm Warning Issued for Kaua‘i County

UPDATE: 5 PM HST Saturday, July 25, 2020

A tropical storm warning has been issued for Kaua‘i County as Hurricane Douglas continues to move west-northwest to the Hawaiian Islands.

WATCHES AND WARNINGS

A Tropical Storm Warning has been issued for Kauai County, including the islands of Kauai and Niihau.

A Tropical Storm Watch has been issued for portions of the Papahanaumokuakea Marine National Monument from Nihoa to French Frigate Shoals.

SUMMARY OF WATCHES AND WARNING IN EFFECT

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

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 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 hours.

A Tropical Storm Watch means that tropical storm conditions are possible within the watch area, in this case within the next 48 hours.

Interests elsewhere in the Papahanaumokuakea Marine National Monument should monitor the progress of this system.

As of 5 p.m., the center of Hurricane Douglas was located near latitude 19.9 North, longitude 151.4 West. Douglas is moving toward the west-northwest near 16 mph (26 km/h). This motion is expected to continue through the next couple of days. On the forecast track, Douglas will be near the main Hawaiian Islands late tonight and is expected to move near, or over, parts of the state Sunday and Sunday night.

Maximum sustained winds are near 90 mph (150 km/h) with higher gusts. Gradual weakening is expected over the next couple of days. However, Douglas is still forecast to be near hurricane strength when it passes near the islands.

Hurricane-force winds extend outward up to 35 miles (55 km) from the center and tropical-storm-force winds extend outward up to 115 miles (185 km). The estimated minimum central pressure is 982 mb (29.00 inches).

HAZARDS AFFECTING LAND

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

SURF: Large swells generated by Douglas are expected to build tonight and affect the Hawaiian Islands Sunday into Monday, 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 into 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 could produce two to five inches of rainfall over the northern half of the Big Island.