SUMMARY OF 500 PM HST…0300 UTC…INFORMATION
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LOCATION…18.7N 146.0W
ABOUT 595 MI…960 KM E OF HILO HAWAII
ABOUT 790 MI…1275 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
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CHANGES WITH THIS ADVISORY:

A Hurricane Watch has been issued for Oahu.

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 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.

DISCUSSION AND 48-HOUR OUTLOOK
——————————
At 500 PM HST (0300 UTC), the center of Hurricane Lester was located near latitude 18.7 North, longitude 146.0 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.

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 into
tonight, 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).

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.