Hurricane Kiko remains a powerful Category 4 hurricane far out in the East Pacific as it moves west toward the Hawaii islands on Wednesday evening.
As of 5 p.m., the hurricane had maximum sustained winds of 145 mph about 1,560 miles east-southeast of Hilo and moving west at 9 mph, according to the National Hurricane Center in Miami.
“This general motion is expected to continue through Thursday night,” according to the center’s 5 p.m. update. “A turn toward the west-northwest is expected on Friday, with a gradual increase in forward speed expected over the weekend as Kiko approaches the Hawaiian islands from the east.”
Kiko is a compact storm, with hurricane-force winds extending up to 25 miles from the center and tropical storm-force winds extending 80 miles.
On Monday, at the end of the current five-day forecast, forecasters expect the weakening hurricane to have maximum sustained winds of 80 mph, a Category 1 storm, as it churns a few hundred miles west of Hilo.
“By days 4 and 5, the cyclone will begin moving over cooler water with gradually increasing westerly vertical wind shear, and mid-level moisture plummeting below 40 percent. These factors should lead to steady and eventually rapid weakening of Kiko as the cyclone approaches the Hawaiian islands from the east,” forecasters said.
Forecast models have the storm nearing the Big Island by Tuesday.
The National Weather Service in Honolulu said Kiko “is poised to approach the islands early next week.”
“A flash flood threat may develop over the islands in the Tuesday-Thursday time frame conditional on the exact track of the system,” the weather service said in its long-range forecast for the state.
No coastal watches or warnings are in effect, and forecasters say it is still too early to know if Kiko will have any direct impacts on Hawaii. The storm is expected to continue on a general westward path before making a gradual turn toward the west-northwest later this week.
The National Weather Service in Honolulu said Hawaii’s current weather pattern will remain mostly stable through the weekend, with light to moderate tradewinds delivering overnight and early-morning showers to windward and mauka areas. Most leeward regions are expected to remain dry, except for scattered afternoon showers along the Kona slopes of the Big Island.
Forecasters are monitoring Kiko’s potential to send increased easterly swells toward the islands early next week, which could push surf on east-facing shores near advisory levels. A coastal flood statement remains in effect through Sunday due to peak monthly high tides and elevated water levels along low-lying areas.
The coastal flood statement is in effect for all Hawaiian islands through Sunday afternoon due to peak high tides associated with the lunar cycle. While the flooding is expected to be minor, forecasters warn that low-lying shoreline areas, coastal roads, docks, boat ramps and other infrastructure may see brief inundation during the daily afternoon high tides.
Residents and visitors are urged to avoid driving through flooded roadways, secure boats and canoes, and move electronics, vehicles and other valuables to higher ground. Officials also encourage monitoring vessels to ensure mooring lines don’t get too tight and watch for potential overwash around boat ramps.
The impacts could include flooding of normally dry beaches, minor coastal erosion and saltwater intrusion into some vulnerable areas.
Marine conditions are otherwise expected to remain moderate, with tradewinds producing generally manageable seas and background swells along north- and south-facing shores.
Source: The Garden Island
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