KAILUA-KONA — A hurricane watch remains in effect for Hawaii and Maui counties as Hurricane Lane nears the Hawaiian Islands.
Tropical storm conditions are possible beginning Wednesday night, with hurricane conditions possible on Thursday, forecasters with the Central Pacific Hurricane Center in Honolulu said Tuesday.
As of 11 a.m. Tuesday, Lane was a strong Category 4 hurricane circulating 155 mph winds some 395 miles south-southeast of Hilo and 360 miles south-southeast of South Point, according to forecasters. The storm was headed west-northwest at 9 mph.
Hurricane-force winds extended outward up to 40 miles from the center of Lane and tropical storm-force winds extended outward up to 140 miles.
A hurricane watch means that hurricane conditions are possible within the watch area. A watch is typically issued 48 hours before the anticipated first occurrence of hurricane-force winds. A warning is typically when hurricane conditions are expected with 36 hours.
Lane is expected to continue heading west-northwest though Tuesday night, however, a turn toward the northwest is expected Wednesday into Thursday.
“On the forecast track, the center of Lane will move very close to or over the main Hawaiian Islands from Thursday through Saturday,” forecasters said.
Excessive rainfall associated with Lane is expected to affect portions of the Hawaiian Islands from Wednesday into the weekend, leading to flash flooding and landslides. Bands of intense showers and thunderstorms surrounding Lane will begin to overspread the state from south to north, reaching the Big Island late Tuesday or Wednesday morning.
Tornadoes and large waterspouts will possibly be associated with Lane, mainly along and to the right of the track of the hurricane.
Lane is expected to produce total rain accumulations of 10 to 15 inches with isolated maximum amounts of 20 inches over the Hawaiian Islands as the storm passes. A flash flood watch goes into effect Wednesday morning for the state and will remain posted until Friday afternoon.
“Excessive rainfall is possible. which could lead to major flash flooding, landslides and mudslides. Flooding can occur even in areas not usually prone to flooding,” forecasters cautioned.
In addition, large swells generated by Lane will impact the Hawaiian Islands this week. These swells will produce large and potentially damaging surf along exposed south and west facing shorelines. A high surf advisory is in effect until 6 p.m. Tuesday for east-facing shores of Hawaii Island and Maui.