Hurricane Nolo passing south of Hawaii; brings strong winds, high surf

Hurricane Nolo is strengthening hundreds of miles south of Hawaii today, no longer a rainfall threat to the state but bringing gusty winds and high surf throughout the islands.

The National Weather Service has issued a high wind warning for Maui, Big Island, Molokai, and Lanai, a wind advisory for Oahu and Kauai, and a high surf advisory for most islands.

As of 5 a.m., Nolo was a Category 2 hurricane with 105 mph maximum sustained winds and higher gusts, and was centered 260 miles southwest of South Point and 355 miles south of Honolulu. It was moving west at 12 mph, according to the Central Pacific Hurricane Center.

“A turn toward the northwest is expected by tonight, with this general motion continuing through Tuesday,” forecasters said. “On the forecast track, the center of Nolo will remain well south and southwest of the main Hawaiian islands but will approach the Papahanaumokuakea Marine National Monument early this week.”

Hurricane-force winds extend up to 35 miles from the center and tropical-storm-force winds extend outward up to 150 miles, they said.

Nolo is predicted to become a major Category 3 hurricane later tonight and peak as a Category 4 cyclone with 130 mph winds Monday as it moves northwest, still far southwest of the state. It will be a weakening hurricane by Tuesday when it is hundreds of miles west of Kauai and begins moving westward, according to CPHC’s latest forecast.

CPHC said the threat of heavy rain and flooding to Hawaii has diminished, but “strong and gusty winds are expected for all of the Hawaiian islands through today, and interests in the Hawaiian Islands should continue to monitor the progress of Nolo.”

The National Weather Service in Honolulu said high pressure north of Hawaii will bring drier and more stable conditions to the state, with continued strong wind gusts over and downwind of terrain, especially in west Maui and leeward Kohala on the Big Island. Tradewinds will diminish and shift out of the east-southeast Monday through Wednesday, and the chance of rain will increase on Kauai and Oahu as moisture trailing Nolo moves over the western end of the state, forecasters said.

The NWS has issued:

>> A high wind warning for portions of Maui, Big Island, Molokai, and Lanai over and downwind of terrain, especially in west Maui and Kohala, through 6 p.m. today. East winds 30 to 45 mph with gusts up to 75 mph are expected. “Damaging winds may blow down trees and power lines and damage roofs. Power outages are possible. Travel will be difficult, especially for high profile vehicles.”

>> A high wind advisory for Oahu, Kauai, and Niihau through 6 p.m. today. East winds 25 to 35 mph with gusts to 55 mph are predicted. The strongest winds are forecast for Oahu, especially over and downwind of terrain.

>> High surf advisories for most islands with waves of 8 to 12 feet expected. The advisories cover the east shores of Molokai and Maui, and east and southeast shores of Hawaii island through this evening; and the east shores of Kauai and Oahu through Monday morning.

Hawaii County Civil Defense said today that heavy rain fell overnight in the Kau district and caused flooding in Waiohinu near Kamaoa Road and Kaalaiki Road in Naalehu. Flooding also occurred along Highway 11 in Honuapo and Kawa.

Highway 11 remained closed in Waiohinu from Pinao Street to Kaalualu Road this morning, and between Naalehu and Pahala due to flooding. Highway 250, or the Kohala Mountain Road, also remained closed due to high winds and hazardous conditions.