UPDATE: Ignacio Will Pass Above the Big Island

**Updated at 11:10 a.m. to include information from the Central Pacific Hurricane Center and the National Hurricane Center 11 a.m. advisories.***

By: Jamilia Epping

As of 11 a.m., Hurricane Ignacio was about 265 miles east-northeast of Hilo.

The Central Pacific Hurricane Center reports that the storm was holding maximum sustained winds of 105 miles per hour as it passes the Big Island to the northeast, moving in a northwest direction at 9 mph.

Forecasters expect that Hurricane Igancio will continnue on its current path, traveling between 200 to 300 miles northeast of the entire state over the next couple of days. The storm is expected to take a turn to the north in a period of about three days.

Southerwesterly shear is expected to continue over the next 24 to 48 hours, but CPHC forecasters say that the intensity forecast is complex and holds some uncertainty, therefore the storm will hold at minimum of a tropical storm status throughout its forecast period.

The National Weather Service reports that winds are expected to increase over the state throughout the day as Hurricane Igancio moves pass above the state. Clouds are expected to increase over windward coastal waters and potentially bring showers, with an emphasis on windward areas.

Meanwhile in the Eastern Pacific, Hurricane Jimena has maintained its category strength, holding maximum sustained winds of 145 mph, a slight drop since the National Hurricane Cener’s 5 a.m. advisory.

NHC notes that Hurricane Jimena continues to move towards the west at 16 mph, located 1,230 miles west of Hilo.

Hurricane Jimena is forecast to fluctuate in intensity throughout the day as it passes through a low wind shear environment. A slow weakening is expected after the storm passes through the area.

***Original story posted at 7:34 a.m.***

By: Jamilia Epping

Hurricane Ignacio is weakening as it begins to pass over the state.

According to the Central Pacific Hurricane Center’s 5 a.m. advisory, Hurricane Ignacio was 290 miles east-northeast of Hilo. Ignacio was holding maximum sustained winds of 105 miles per hour and was moving at a rate of 10 mph in a northwest direction.

Central Pacific Hurricane Center image, as of 5 a.m.

CPHC reports that Hurricane Igancio is expected to continue weakening for the next couple of days, with the rate of weakening to slow on Tuesday and Wenesday.

Large swells are expected to arrive along east and northeast facing shores of the state in the next handful of days. As a result, surf has the potential to reach dangerous levels.

Forecasters say that Hurricane Ignacio’s weakening is in large part due to an increase of southwesterly shear.

One final reconnaissance flight into Hurricane Ignacio will be flown Monday morning.

National Hurricane Center image, as of 5 a.m.

As of 5 a.m., Hurricane Jimena continued to maintain Category 4 hurricane strength. The storm was located about 1,330 miles east of Hilo, moving in a west direction at 16 mph.

The National Hurricane Center reports that Hurricane Jimena was holding maximum sustained winds of 150 mph and is forecast to remain steady over the next day or two.

Forecasters expect that Hurricane Jimena will take a west-northwest turn with a decrease in forward speed over the next couple of days.