At 800 PM HST (0600 UTC), the center of Hurricane Lester was located near latitude 19.0 North, longitude 146.7 West. Lester is moving toward the west-northwest near 14 mph (22 km/h). This general motion is expected to continue during the next 48 hours. On the forecast track, the center of Lester will be passing close to, or over, the Hawaiian Islands on Saturday and Sunday. Maximum sustained winds are near 125 mph (205 km/h) with higher gusts. Lester is a category 3 hurricane on the Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Wind Scale. Little change in intensity is expected overnight, followed by gradual weakening.

Hurricane-force winds extend outward up to 35 miles (55 km) from
the center and tropical-storm-force winds extend outward up to 150
miles (240 km).

The estimated minimum central pressure is 957 mb (28.26 inches).

 

SUMMARY OF 800 PM HST…0600 UTC…INFORMATION
———————————————-
LOCATION…19.0N 146.7W
ABOUT 545 MI…875 KM E OF HILO HAWAII
ABOUT 745 MI…1200 KM E OF HONOLULU HAWAII
MAXIMUM SUSTAINED WINDS…125 MPH…205 KM/H
PRESENT MOVEMENT…WNW OR 285 DEGREES AT 14 MPH…22 KM/H
MINIMUM CENTRAL PRESSURE…957 MB…28.26 INCHES

WATCHES AND WARNINGS
——————–
CHANGES WITH THIS ADVISORY:

None.

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
* Oahu

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 occurrence 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.

For storm information specific to your area, please monitor
products issued by the National Weather Service office in
Honolulu Hawaii.

HAZARDS AFFECTING LAND
———————-
WIND: Hurricane conditions are possible over Hawaii and Maui
Counties on Saturday, with tropical storm conditions possibly
developing as early as late Friday night. Hurricane conditions are
possible over Oahu on Saturday night, with tropical storm conditions
possibly developing as early as Saturday afternoon.

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

RAIN: Heavy rains associated with Lester may reach Hawaii and Maui counties on Saturday, and may reach Oahu on Saturday night.