The storm does not pose an immediate threat to land, but strengthening is expected in the next 48 hours. In the GOES-West infrared image from1500 UTC (11 a.m. EDT), thunderstorms tightly surround the center of circulation. “There is now a small central mass of deep convection, with a band on the northern side of the circulation”. The National Hurricane Center is now tracking Tropical Storm Hilda, centered 1,586 miles from Hilo. Hilda is moving toward the west near 13 miles per hour (20 kph).
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Guillermo has taken a more westerly, rather than west-northwest path, bringing it closer to Oahu and Kauai on Thursday and Friday. The estimated minimum central pressure is 1004 millibars. A high-surf advisory for east-facing shores of the Big Island, Maui, Molokai, Oahu and Kauai remains in place until 6 p.m. today.
Honolulu lifeguards urged people to stay off shoreline ledges, where waves could wash people into the ocean and said only experts should be in the water.
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The state’s Division of State Parks closed Waianapanapa State Park on Maui due to the excessive surf, and different parks closed areas due to considerations about flash flooding. The warning includes a portion of the Papahanaumokuakea Marine National Monument east of the French Frigate Shoals. “Wind gusts will usually be on the order of 25 to 35 miles per hour”. The weekend is forecast to be sunny and breezy, with a high of 90 degrees through early next week.
