A Hurricane Watch has been issued for Hawaii County and for Maui County, including the islands of Maui, Molokai, Lanai and Kahoolawe.

5AM UPDATE

At 500 AM HST (1500 UTC), the center of Hurricane Lester was located near latitude 18.4 North, longitude 143.7 West. Lester is moving toward the west near 14 mph (22 km/h) and this motion is expected to become west northwest later today through early Saturday.

Maximum sustained winds are near 105 mph (165 km/h) with higher gusts. Some weakening is forecast through early Saturday.

Hurricane-force winds extend outward up to 35 miles (55 km) from the center and tropical-storm-force winds extend outward up to 105 miles (165 km).

The estimated minimum central pressure is 971 mb (28.68 inches).

SUMMARY OF 500 AM HST…1500 UTC…INFORMATION

LOCATION…18.4N 143.7W
ABOUT 750 MI…1205 KM E OF HILO HAWAII
ABOUT 945 MI…1520 KM E OF HONOLULU HAWAII
MAXIMUM SUSTAINED WINDS…105 MPH…165 KM/H
PRESENT MOVEMENT…W OR 280 DEGREES AT 14 MPH…22 KM/H
MINIMUM CENTRAL PRESSURE…971 MB…28.68 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 force winds are possible within the watch area. A Hurricane Watch is typically issued 48 hours before the anticipated first occurrance of tropical storm force winds…conditions that make outside preparations difficult or dangerous.

Interests elsewhere in the Hawaiian Islands should monitor the progress of Lester.

WIND: Hurricane conditions are possible over Hawaii and Maui counties Saturday.

SURF: Swells generated by Lester will start to build over east facing shores today and Friday. Surf will peak this weekend, becoming very large and damaging along east facing shores.

RAIN: Heavy rains associated with Lester may reach Hawaii and Maui counties on Saturday, and may affect other Hawaiian Islands later Saturday and Sunday.

Keep tuned to KWXX-FM for the latest updates..