Dora maintains Category 4 intensity as hurricane moves west across the Central Pacific, south of the Hawaiian Islands

Update at 5:10 p.m. Aug. 6: Hurricane Dora, still a major Category 4 storm, is continuing her trek across the Central Pacific basin and is still expected to pass safely to the south of the Hawaiian Islands.

As of 5 p.m. Sunday, Dora was about 890 miles east-southeast of South Point on the Big Island and 1,725 miles east of Johnston Island moving west at 22 mph. The hurricane had maximum sustained winds of 140 mph, with hurricane-force winds extending up to 25 miles out from the storm’s center and tropical storm-force winds extending up to 70 miles out.

Dora is expected to continue her westward track for the next several days, with minor fluctuations in intensity possible and gradually weakening.

As for the forecast for the islands, the National Weather Service forecast office in Honolulu said in its 3:48 p.m. Hawai’i area synopsis that moderate trade winds will prevail through today. However, significant changes are expected Monday through Wednesday as dry air with strong winds with potentially damaging wind gusts move into the region.

During the latter half of the week, a return to more seasonable trade wind weather is expected.

Original story: Category 4 Hurricane Dora is now in the Central Pacific.

As of 5 a.m. today, the major hurricane had maximum sustained winds of 140 mph and was moving at 21 mph, continuing on a westward track that will take it south of the Hawaiian Islands. Dora was 1,095 miles east-southeast of Hilo and 1,110 miles east-southeast of South Point on the Big Island.

The storm is forecast to continue that westward motion across the Central Pacific basin for the next several days, with fluctuations in intensity still possible. Gradual weakening is expected by midweek.

Hurricane-force winds extend outward up to 25 miles from Dora’s center, while tropical storm-force winds extend out up to 60 miles.

Despite the storm forecast to stay well to the south of the islands, it will have an affect on the weather.

The National Weather Service forecast office in Honolulu has issued a high wind watch from Monday morning through late Tuesday night for portions of the Big Island, including the summits of Maunakea and Mauna Loa along with northern and southern and southeastern portions of the island.

The summit and interior portions of the island could see east winds from 20 to 50 mph, with localized gusts over 60 mph possible, while the northern, southern and southeastern parts of the island could experience east winds of 25 to 45 mph, with gusts over 60 mph.

The gradient between high pressure north of the main Hawaiian Islands and Hurricane Dora passing safely south of the islands could drive very strong and gusty easterly winds across the area in the coming days. A stable airmass and low inversion will amplify this effect, especially over and lee of terrain across the eastern islands.

Damaging winds could blow down trees and power lines. Widespread power outages are possible. Travel could be difficult, especially for high profile vehicles.

The National Weather Service advises the public to take precautions now to protect property; tie down loose objects or move them to a sheltered location.

Because of those expected windy conditions, the weather agency also issued a fire weather watch from Monday morning through late Tuesday night for leeward areas of the state, including the Big Island.

Strong and gusty winds combined with low humidity could lead to critical fire conditions across leeward areas throughout the coming days. East winds of 20 to 30 knots with higher gusts are forecast, with humidity hovering from just 40% to 45% during the afternoons and evenings.

Any fires that develop will likely spread rapidly. Outdoor burning is not recommended.

Because of the threat of critical fire conditions, Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park is putting some restrictions on vehicles and campfires in place for some portions of the park to avoid wildfires.

Hawaiʻi County is closely monitoring the Dora and other related weather patterns as the hurricane makes its way into the Central Pacific.

Residents should be prepared for potential changes should the weather situation evolve. Sign up for Everbridge messages from Hawaiʻi County Civil Defense by clicking here.

For updates and additional information, visit the Hawaiʻi County Civil Defense website.

The National Weather Service said in its 3:30 a.m. Hawaiʻi area synopsis that moderate trade winds will prevail through today, with a possibility of showers increasing later today. The highest rainfall chances remaining over windward areas.

Expect windy, very gusty and dry conditions Monday into Wednesday.