A tropical storm moving west from Mexico continues to weaken and will likely dissipate when it begins to approach Hawai‘i, according to the National Weather Service’s National Hurricane Center. Elida, which was a Category II hurricane with sustained wind speeds
A tropical storm moving west from Mexico continues to weaken and will likely dissipate when it begins to approach Hawai‘i, according to the National Weather Service’s National Hurricane Center.
Elida, which was a Category II hurricane with sustained wind speeds eclipsing 100 miles per hour as recently as Wednesday, was downgraded to Category I yesterday with maximum wind speeds of 80 mph in the morning
and around 75 mph in the evening.
At 5 p.m. yesterday, the storm’s center was located “1,030 miles west-southwest of the southern tip of Baja California” and was moving west at 15 mph, according to a public advisory.
A “five-day cone” on the NHC’s Web site projected the storm to potentially be just off the coast of the Hilo area of the Big Island by Tuesday.
However, a wind speed probability table also on the Web site forecasted maximum wind speeds of 65 mph for today, 50 mph for tomorrow, 35 mph for Sunday, 30 mph for Monday and 30 mph on Tuesday.
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration spokeswoman Delores Clark said Wednesday that the Central Pacific Hurricane Center would be activated only if the hurricane crosses the 140-degree west longitudinal line.
A second tropical storm is strengthening off of Mexico’s west coast, with Fausto expected to be upgraded to a Category I hurricane today.
Fausto is also forecasted to weaken before it approaches the central Pacific.
For more information, visit www.nhc.noaa.gov
• Michael Levine, staff writer, can be reached at 245-3681 (ext. 252) or via e-mail at mlevine@kauaipubco.com
