HURRICANE LESTER CONTINUES MOVING WESTWARD TOWARD THE HAWAIIAN ISLANDS…

At 1100 AM HST (2100 UTC), the center of Hurricane Lester was located near latitude 18.4 North, longitude 144.8 West. Lester is moving toward the west near 13 mph (20 km/h). This motion is expected to continue into the afternoon, followed by a gradual turn toward the west-northwest later today through Saturday.

Maximum sustained winds are near 110 mph (175 km/h) with higher gusts. Gradual weakening is forecast during the next 48 hours.

Hurricane-force winds extend outward up to 30 miles (45 km) from the center and tropical-storm-force winds extend outward up to 115 miles (185 km).

SUMMARY OF 1100 AM HST…2100 UTC…INFORMATION
———————————————–
LOCATION…18.4N 144.8W
ABOUT 680 MI…1090 KM E OF HILO HAWAII
ABOUT 875 MI…1405 KM E OF HONOLULU HAWAII
MAXIMUM SUSTAINED WINDS…110 MPH…175 KM/H
PRESENT MOVEMENT…W OR 275 DEGREES AT 13 MPH…20 KM/H
MINIMUM CENTRAL PRESSURE…968 MB…28.59 INCHES

SUMMARY OF WATCHES AND WARNINGS IN EFFECT:

A Hurricane Watch is in effect for…
* Hawaii County
* Maui County including the islands of Maui, Molokai, Lanai and Kahoolawe

A Hurricane Watch means that hurricane conditions are possible within the watch area. A Hurricane Watch is typically issued 48 hours before the anticipated first occurrence of tropical storm conditions, which make outside preparations difficult or dangerous.