US: Hurricane Lane to turn northwest toward Hawai’i August 22 /update 2

Event

According to forecasts released on Monday, August 20, Hurricane Lane is now expected to shift direction, moving northwest on Wednesday, August 22, and bringing tropical storm to hurricane-conditions to the Hawai'ian islands beginning the early morning hours (local time) of Thursday, August 23. Hurricane Lane is currently a Category 4 storm located 930 km (580 mi) southeast of Hilo with sustained winds of 215 km/h (130 mph) and tropical storm force winds extending 205 km (125 mi) from the center of the storm. It is expected to weaken slightly as it moves into cooler waters but will remain a powerful storm capable of bringing strong winds, heavy rains, and high surf to the islands. Forecast models are highly varied as of Monday and the storm's precise path could change later in the week.

Context

Lane formed as a tropical depression on August 14 and quickly strengthened to a hurricane on August 16. Hurricanes and tropical cyclones are common in the eastern and central Pacific from May through November.

Advice

Individuals present or traveling to Hawai'i are advised to keep abreast of weather alerts, adhere to any advice issued by local authorities, and refrain from beach or ocean activities; hurricanes can produce dangerous waves and deadly rip currents even at large distances from the storm. In the event of flooding, remember that driving and walking through running water can be dangerous - 15 cm (6 in) of running water is enough to knock over an adult.