Kiko weakened slightly Saturday morning but remains a major hurricane far from Hawaii in the Central Pacific, and forecasters expect it to significantly decrease in strength in three to four days as it passes north of the islands.
At 11 a.m., Kiko had maximum sustained winds of 120 mph, moving west-northwest at 12 mph, and was centered 935 miles east-southeast of Hilo and 1,135 east-southeast of Honolulu, according to Central Pacific Hurricane Center forecasters. Kiko’s hurricane-force winds extend up to 25 miles from the center and tropical storm-force winds up to 80 miles outward, they said.
“Tropical Cyclone Kiko will be approaching Hawaii from the southeast. Kiko’s current forecast track is north of the islands across the far northern offshore waters,” the National Hurricane Center said. “While confidence is low concerning Kiko’s impacts to Hawaii early to mid next week, there is a possibly of higher statewide rainfall.”
Currently a Category 3 hurricane, Kiko is expected to soon hit drier conditions and wind shear, both of which will weaken the storm. “Kiko (is) expected to shear apart vertically” Tuesday and Wednesday as it passes far north of the islands as a tropical storm, CPHC forecasters said in the 11 a.m. update.
The latest five-day forecast track’s “cone of uncertainty” no longer includes any Hawaiian island and has the storm safely northwest of Kauai as a tropical depression by the end of next week. The entire island chain was covered in the “cone of uncertainty” on Friday but the updated forecast now has Kiko on a more northerly track
There are no Kiko-related advisories, watches or warnings for Hawaii, but forecasters said that swells generated by the hurricane are expected to begin reaching the Big Island and Maui by Sunday.
“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,” the CPHC said.
An Air Force Hurricane Hunter aircraft is scheduled to investigate Kiko today to provide a better look at the storm’s intensity and structure, officials said.
Hawaii’s weather this weekend, meanwhile, is expected to be dry and stable with highs in the upper-80s and lows in the mid-70s, according to the National Weather Service.
“Cloudier, warm and muggy island weather is forecast early next week under weakened trades,” forecasters said, adding that there will be a slight increase in rain shower frequency Sunday into Monday.
There are no Kiko-related advisories, watches or warnings for Hawaii, but forecasters said that swells generated by the hurricane are expected to begin reaching the Big Island and Maui by Sunday.
“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,” the CPHC said.
An Air Force Hurricane Hunter aircraft is scheduled to investigate Kiko today to provide a better look at the storm’s intensity and structure, officials said.
Hawaii’s weather this weekend, meanwhile, is expected to be dry and stable with highs in the upper-80s and lows in the mid-70s, according to the National Weather Service.
“Cloudier, warm and muggy island weather is forecast early next week under weakened trades,” forecasters said, adding that there will be a slight increase in rain shower frequency Sunday into Monday.
Source: The Garden Island