Hurricane Kiko remains on track to pass north of Hawaii

As of 5 p.m. Sunday evening, Kiko was located about 555 miles east of Hilo and about 750 miles east of Honolulu. The hurricane was moving at near 14 mph with maximum sustained winds of 105 mph.

Kiko is expected to pass north of the main Hawaiian Islands Tuesday and Wednesday. Kiko is forecast to become a tropical storm late Monday or Monday night.

“While the risk of direct impacts on the islands appears to be decreasing, interests there should continue to monitor Kiko’s progress and the latest forecast,” according to the forecast.

Hurricane-force winds extend outward up to 30 miles from the center, while tropical-storm-force winds extend outward up to 90 miles.

There are no coastal watches or warnings in effect.

Although there are no Kiko-related advisories covering land in the islands, offshore Hawaii waters beyond 40 nautical miles out to 240 nautical miles including the portion of the Papahanaumokuakea Marine National Monument east of French Frigate Shoals are under a hurricane warning. The National Weather Service in Honolulu said 6-to-12-feet seas are expected Tuesday and Wednesday, as well as isolated thunderstorms.

NWS forecasters said the islands, meanwhile, may see a “brief enhancement in shower activity through Monday morning.”

“Overall, the region will remain relatively dry and stable the next couple of days. Cloudier, warm and muggy island weather is forecast Tuesday and Wednesday under weakened trade flow,” they said today. “Hurricane Kiko is approaching Hawaii from the southeast. Kiko’s current forecast track remains north of the islands across the far northern offshore waters. While confidence is low concerning Kiko’s early to mid week impacts, there is a possibly of higher statewide rainfall and elevated east-facing shore surf. “

Swells generated by Kiko are expected to reach Hawaii island and Maui today. “These swells will gradually build and are forecast to peak along east-facing exposures of the Hawaiian islands late Monday through midweek, potentially producing life-threatening surf and rip currents,” forecasters said.
Source: The Garden Island