Update: Dora moves past Hawaiʻi Island; strong winds continue through Wednesday

Updated Aug. 8 at 11 p.m: Hurricane Dora continues as a Category 4 storm with maximum sustained winds of 130 mph moving west at 23 mph. The hurricane now is 740 miles southwest of Hilo.

A very strong high pressure system remains in place north of the state and Hurricane Dora continues to move westward, passing well south of the islands on Tuesday night. These two pressure systems will continue to produce very strong and damaging winds through the overnight hours, according to the National Weather Service.

These strong winds coupled with low humidity levels are producing dangerous fire weather conditions that will last through Wednesday afternoon. Expect decreasing wind speed trends on Wednesday and Thursday as both systems move westward away from the state.

A more typical breezy trade wind weather pattern returns from Friday through the weekend with more moderate trade wind speeds in the forecast.

Updated Aug. 8 at 1 p.m.: Hurricane Dora remains a Category 4 storm moving rapidly west at 22 mph with maximum sustained winds of 130 mph.

The storm has passed the Big Island and now is 605 miles south-southwest of Hilo. But the high winds, high surf and dry air continues to be felt from the storm.

Original Tuesday post: Hurricane Dora remains a Category 4 storm as it rapidly moves at 22 mph west across the Central Pacific with maximum sustained winds of 130 mph with higher gusts — and on a track well south of the Hawaiian Islands.

As of 5 a.m. on Tuesday, the center of Hurricane Dora was located 570 miles south of Hilo, according to the National Weather Center.

Strong and potentially damaging easterly winds along with very dry conditions will persist into Wednesday. A return of a more typical trade wind pattern is anticipated later in the week through the weekend.

The National Weather Service forecast office in Honolulu has issued a High Wind Warning for Hamakua, North and South Kohala, North Kona, and Kau Districts, and the summits of Hawaii Island — and a High Wind Advisory for Hilo and Puna Districts through Wednesday.

Sustained winds of up 45 mph with gusts of over 65 mph are forecast.

The National Weather Service also has issued a Red Fire Warning through 6 a.m. Wednesday.

A brush fire has broke out in the North Kohala District off of Akoni Pule Highway (Highway 270) near Kohala Ranch, causing a portion of the road to close. For more information on the fire, click here.

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. Very dry fuels combined with strong and gusty easterly winds and low humidities below 45% will produce critical fire weather conditions through Tuesday night.

Hawaii Island residents should secure outdoor items and avoid any outdoor activities that involve the use of fire or a fire ignition source. Damaging winds could blow down trees and power lines. Widespread power outages are possible. Travel could be difficult, especially for high profile vehicles.

The storm also will bring dangerously high surf. The Big Island is under a high surf warning until 6 p.m. Tuesday with breaking waves of 10 to 15 feet on exposed east-facing shores, from Upolu Point in North Kohala to South Point in Kāʻu. The High Surf Warning for all east facing shores of Hawaii Island, fremains in effect through this evening

Outside of a few windward showers Monday morning, very dry air arriving from the east will limit rainfall chances through Wednesday. A return of a more typical trade wind pattern is anticipated later in the week through the weekend, according to the National Weather Service.

Hurricane-force winds extend outward up to 30 miles from the center and tropical-storm-force winds extend outward up to 105 miles.