Hurricane Ignacio forecast to rapidly weaken, may become a tropical storm by Tuesday

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Hurricane Ignacio forecast to rapidly weaken, may become a tropical storm by Tuesday

Posted on August 30, 2015. Tags: hurricane, ignacio, jimena, nasa, nhc, noaa, nws, tropical storm watch

Central Pacific Hurricane Center 11 p.m. HST Sunday, August 30, 2015 Ignacio track update.

Five day forecast for tropical storm force winds from Ignacio and Jimena.

5:10 p.m. HST Sunday (Aug 30) Hawaii County Civil Defense message on Hurricane Ignacio

As of 11 p.m. HST Sunday (Aug 30) the center of Hurricane Ignacio was located about 320 miles (515 km) east of Hilo, Hawaii. Maximum sustained winds are about 115 mph (185 km/hr) with higher gusts moving northwest at 9 mph (15 km/hr). Hurricane force winds extend outward up to 45 miles (75 km) from the center and tropical storm force winds extend outward up to 175 miles (280 km) from the center.

The tropical storm watch for Hawaii Island and Maui County has been discontinued. Rainfall in the amounts of one to three inches with isolated maximum amounts near five inches in higher elevation areas are possible on Hawaii Island.

Ignacio is a Category 3 hurricane and is forecast to rapidly weaken. The outer winds of Ignacio could affect Hawaii Island by early Monday (Aug 31). Ignacio is forecast to weaken to a tropical storm by Tuesday (Sept 1).

All public schools and private schools will be open tomorrow. In addition all government offices will be open for normal business; including the Hele-On Bus system.

Large swells generated by Ignacio will arrive along the east and southeast facing shores of Hawaii Island over the next several days. This large surf is potentially life-threatening and will arrive this weekend and early next week.

For a reminder of how to prepare during this hurricane system read these tips by HELCO or go to our ‘Be Prepared’ menu near the top of this page for hurricane information.