The National Weather Service Central Pacific Hurricane Center warned this afternoon that Hurricane Lane is barreling toward Hawaii as a Category 4 storm with maximum sustained winds near 150 mph with higher
gusts.
A gradual turn toward the northwest is expected tonight, followed by a more northward motion on Thursday. A turn back toward the west is expected on Saturday. On the forecast track, the center of Lane will move very close to or over the main Hawaiian Islands from Thursday through Saturday.
A steady weakening trend is forecast to begin today, but Lane is expected to remain a dangerous hurricane as it approaches the islands. Hurricane-force winds extend outward up to 40 miles from the center and tropical-storm-force winds extend outward up to 140 miles.
Tropical storm winds are expected within the hurricane warning area beginning Thursday morning, with hurricane conditions expected somewhere within the warning area on Thursday. Tropical storm conditions are possible within the hurricane watch area beginning Thursday night, with hurricane conditions possible Friday.
Rainbands from Hurricane Lane are gradually overspreading the Big Island. Excessive rainfall associated with Lane is expected to affect portions of the Hawaiian Islands from late today into the weekend. This could lead to major flash flooding and landslides. Lane is expected to produce total rain accumulations of 10 to 15 inches with localized amounts in excess of 20 inches over the Hawaiian Islands.
