US: Hurricane Norman to bring dangerous surf to Hawaii September 5-7

Event

The US National Weather Service (NWS) issued a high surf warning for several Hawaiian islands on Wednesday, September 5, as Hurricane Norman passes to the islands' northeast. NWS warned of high surf of 2.4-5.5 m (8-18 ft) on the east-facing shores of the Big Island, Maui, Molokai, Oahu, and Kauai. Swells from Hurricane Norman will continue to rise on Wednesday and peak on Thursday, September 6, causing strong breaking waves and potentially deadly rip currents. The warning is in effect until 06:00 (local time) Friday, September 7.

Hurricane Gordon is located 620 km (385 mi) east of Hilo and moving west-northwest at 15 km/h (9 mph) as of 17:00 on Wednesday. The storm is expected to pass 320-480 km (200-300 mi) northeast of the Hawaiian islands, though hazardous ocean conditions will extend to land. Norman is producing sustained winds of 195 km/h (120 mph), making it a Category 3 hurricane.

Context

Hurricane Gordon formed as a tropical depression on August 28 and rapidly strengthened to a hurricane the following day. It is the eighth hurricane in the eastern Pacific basin this year. Tropical cyclones and hurricanes are common in the eastern Pacific from May through November.

Advice

Individuals in the affected areas are advised to monitor local weather reports, adhere to instructions issued by local authorities, and avoid oceangoing activities if conditions remain hazardous.