Hurricane conditions are possible over Hawaii County on Wednesday, Aug. 31, and ocean swells are expected to reach the Hawaiian Islands over the next couple of days, possibly becoming damaging along some coastlines Wednesday and Thursday.
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Madeline was expected to weaken to a tropical storm later on Wednesday, but another brewing hurricane also could affect the state over the weekend. Hurricane Madeline was traveling west over the Pacific Ocean, with winds even stronger than those of Lester, at 130 miles per hour (209 km/h).
A tropical storm developing in the Gulf of Mexico could produce near hurricane-force winds by the time it makes landfall in Florida, the National Hurricane Center said on Wednesday.
The depression’s maximum sustained winds are near 35 miles per hour (55 kph). Both hurricanes are expected to bring severe rains, and a hurricane warning and flash flood watch are in effect for several of the islands. It recommended that residents create evacuation plans and secure outdoor furniture. The storm’s eye extended up to 13 nautical miles wide in diameter and Madeline appeared very well organized.
Interestingly, Hurricane Madeline is weakening due to an inhospitable upper level winds, not cool ocean temperatures. “During this time, I ask residents and visitors to closely follow emergency instructions as we prepare for the storm”. That’s about 120 miles (195 km) east-southeast of Hilo, Hawaii.
A Hurricane Watch has been issued for Hawai’i Island as Madeline is upgraded to a category 4 hurricane. (Two major hurricanes threatening Hawaii in the same week is a huge deal and extremely rare, if not unheard of.) To make matters more complicated, Lester and Madeline may begin to interact with each other, changing their current forecast tracks by rotating around each other. Winds will be strongest over mountains and where winds blow downslope from higher terrain.
“As you’ve seen with prior storms there are going to be bands of significant rain”, he said, adding Forida residents should be ready in the event of heavy rain, water and downed power lines.
A second hurricane, Lester, is following close behind Madeline in the Pacific, and is expected to pass just north of the islands on Saturday.
The cyclone is moving toward the west near 14 miles per hour and is expected to make a slight turn toward the west-northwest on Thursday.
Lester has strengthened into a major category 3 hurricane with maximum sustained winds upwards of 115 miles per hour.
The east and south facing portions of the island will likely take the brunt of the storm, in the form of the fiercest winds, highest waves and biggest storm surge.
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Check with the National Weather Service for updates.
