At 1100 AM HST, the eye of Hurricane Douglas was located near latitude 14.1 North, longitude 137.3 West or approximately 1235 miles east southeast of Hilo. Douglas is moving toward the west-northwest near 18 mph (30 km/h), and this motion is expected to continue for the next few days with a gradual decrease in forward speed and a slight turn toward the west. On the forecast track Douglas will approach the Hawaiian Islands on Sunday.

Maximum sustained winds have increased to near 125 mph (205 km/h) with higher gusts.  Douglas is a category 3 hurricane on the Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Wind Scale.  Little change in strength is expected today, with gradual weakening expected to begin on Friday and continue through the weekend. Forecasters have indicated that Douglas is expected to move near or over portions of the Hawaiian Islands this weekend and there is an increasing chance that strong winds, dangerous surf and heavy rainfall could affect portions of the state beginning on Sunday.

Hurricane-force winds extend outward up to 30 miles (45 km) from the center and tropical-storm-force winds extend outward up to 90 miles (150 km).  For more information tune in to KWXX 94.7FM Hilo / 101.5FM Kona, B97.1FM Hilo, B93.1 Kona. For the latest satellite images visit www.kwxxweather.com