Hurricane Expected To Lose Steam As It Nears Hawaii

The MODIS instrument aboard NASA’s Terra satellite captured this image of Hurricane Hilda on August. 8, 2015, when it was east of Hawaii. Hawaii is at the upper left. Hurricane Hilda is forecast to weaken as it approaches Hawaii during the next few days.

A flash flood watch is also in place for Hawaii Island.

Maximum sustained winds are near 65 miles per hour with higher gusts. It’s predicted that Tropical Storm Hilda will act more as a wet event with large amounts of rain rather than a wind event.

Hilda is then expected to move more quickly toward the west as the shallow system is steered by the low-level trade wind flow.

The hurricane center cautioned those in the rest of the islands to keep an eye on Hilda as the storm tracks closer.

Hilda is forecast to weaken to a tropical storm today.

Forecasters say there are no tropical storm watches in effect, but one may be required for the Big Island tonight. “People should be prepared if we do have a heavy rain situation”.

“Everything is pretty much open at this point”, Wroe said. A year ago, Tropical Storm Iselle caused about $66 million damage to the state’s papaya crop when it hit the Big Island.

While Hilda may be weakening with forecasters not expecting a major wind threat, it could produce flooding rainfall that extends out from the center, Wroe said.

The hurricane center said that a reconnaissance flight into the storm was planned for Tuesday morning.

Surf along east-facing shores could be 12 to 18 feet.

The strong breaking waves, shore break and rip currents could make swimming hard and risky, forecasters said.

The hurricane crossed into Central Pacific waters Friday night.

Check out our special Hawaii News Now Hurricane Center by downloading our news app. Highs will be between 86 to 91 degrees on all islands except the Big Island, which could see 83 to 88 degree highs.

U.S. Air Force Hurricane Hunters began flying missions into Hilda Sunday evening.