A gradually weakening Category 1 Hurricane Jimena situated 630 miles east of the Big Island continued a slow and uncertain course northward on Friday. On tap for the Big Island: More humidity and high surf, and the likelihood of continued
A gradually weakening Category 1 Hurricane Jimena situated 630 miles east of the Big Island continued a slow and uncertain course northward on Friday. On tap for the Big Island: More humidity and high surf, and the likelihood of continued flash flooding, thanks to the storm.
And if the cyclone ambles further south than predicted and ends up in the lower edge of the cone of uncertainty, it bears watching in the early part of the coming week, said Jay Breidenbach, acting director of the Central Pacific Hurricane Center.
As Jimena makes its way to the north, cooler ocean temperatures and increasing wind shear are forecast to reduce the cyclone to a tropical storm this weekend and a 40 mph system by mid-week. By Sunday, forecasters with the National Weather Service predict a turn to the northwest will begin, becoming a pronounced westward movement by Monday, with Jimena then situated about 350 miles north of Hilo and beginning a gradual arc back toward Kauai.
The cone of uncertainty widens a great deal as Jimena begins its westward swing, however. The system, traveling northwest at 5 mph and packing 80 mph winds, remained sizable on Friday, with hurricane force winds extending out 40 miles from the center and tropical storm winds reaching out 185 miles. An earlier or more pronounced southward shift in the track could increase impacts of the cyclone on the islands.
“If it tracks closer, it would keep the swells hammering the north shores and increase the rain, but probably not wind at this point,” Breidenbach said. “The good news is that it is supposed to weaken to a tropical storm by Saturday if it behaves the way we think it will.”
Large surf from Hurricane Ignacio, followed by swell generated by Jimena are forecast to continue pound Big Island shores, prompting a high surf warning for east-facing shores and a high surf advisory for south-facing shores. Powerful long-period swells with 12 to 18-foot faces and strong currents will make water activities on windward portions of the island hazardous through Saturday.
The entire state remained under a flash flood watch until 6 pm Friday. Saturated ground is expected to absorb still more sogginess from thunderstorms generated by a moist air mass over the islands.
There may not be much relief in sight from muggy conditions, either. A series of cyclones passing north of the islands in past weeks have cut off trade winds, smothering the island in heat and humidity. That’s expected to continue at least into mid-week, with more stagnant air and afternoon showers as Jimena makes its arc northeast of the islands.
