Tropical Storm Watch Now Issued for Kaua‘i County

5 AM HST Saturday, July 25, 2020

Hurricane Douglas remains at category 2 overnight and a tropical storm watch has now been issued for Kaua‘i County.

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 Watch is in effect for:

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

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 5 a.m., the center of Hurricane Douglas was located near latitude 19.1 North, longitude 148.4 West. Douglas is moving toward the west-northwest near 18 mph (30 km/h). This motion is expected to continue with a slight decrease in forward speed today, followed by a slight turn toward the west tonight through Monday. On the forecast track, Douglas will be near the main Hawaiian Islands late tonight through Sunday night.

Maximum sustained winds are near 105 mph (165 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 25 miles (35 km) from the center and tropical-storm-force winds extend outward up to 105 miles (165 km). The estimated minimum central pressure is 975 mb (28.80 inches).

HAZARDS AFFECTING LAND

WIND: Hurricane conditions are possible across portions of the main Hawaiian Islands late tonight through Sunday night. 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 or Sunday night.

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 the next couple of days.

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 resulting 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.