Hone holds steady on approach toward Big Island; Gilma strengthens
![NATIONAL HURRICANE CENTER
The 5-day forecast track for Hurricane Gilma.](https://staradvertiser.wpenginepowered.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/web1_20240824_hgi5day_11a.jpg)
NATIONAL HURRICANE CENTER
The 5-day forecast track for Hurricane Gilma.
![CENTRAL PACIFIC HURRICANE CENTER
The 5-day forecast track for Tropical Storm Hone.](https://staradvertiser.wpenginepowered.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/web1_20240824_tsh5day_11a.jpg)
CENTRAL PACIFIC HURRICANE CENTER
The 5-day forecast track for Tropical Storm Hone.
![NATIONAL HURRICANE CENTER
The 5-day forecast track for Hurricane Gilma.](https://staradvertiser.wpenginepowered.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/web1_20240824_hgi5day_11a.jpg)
![CENTRAL PACIFIC HURRICANE CENTER
The 5-day forecast track for Tropical Storm Hone.](https://staradvertiser.wpenginepowered.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/web1_20240824_tsh5day_11a.jpg)
UPDATE: 11:20 a.m.
Tropical Storm Hone continues to churn on a course south of the islands as Hurricane Gilma surprisingly picks up steam in the Eastern Pacific.
Located about 185 miles southeast of Hilo and 395 miles southeast of Honolulu at 11 a.m., Hone held steady with maximum sustained winds of 65 mph while heading west at 15 mph, according to the Central Pacific Hurricane Center.
Although weather officials still expect Hone to continue on its current track for the next few days, slowing in forward speed after the weekend, it’s now forecast to peak just below hurricane strength Sunday through Monday.
Tropical-storm-force winds extend outward up to 125 miles from Hone’s center.
A myriad of watches, advisories and warnings are in effect for the Hawaiian islands and their surrounding waters:
>> A tropical storm warning is in effect for Hawaii island and its surrounding waters. Wind forecasts vary across the island but some areas could see sustained winds of 40 to 50 mph with gusts up to 70 mph. The summits of Mauna Kea and Mauna Loa could see gusts of 75 mph.
>> A flood watch is in effect for Hawaii island through Monday evening. “Storm total rainfall estimates for the Big Island will range from 5 to 10 inches with locally higher amounts possible,” the National Weather Service said. The higher end of the range applies primarily to the windward mountain slopes of each island.
>> A red flag warning has been dropped for Hawaii island but remains in effect for the leeward areas of the other islands. A red flag warning means that critical fire weather conditions are either occurring now or will shortly.
“A combination of strong winds, low relative humidity, and dry fuels can contribute to extreme fire behavior,” the NWS said. “Any fires that develop will likely spread rapidly.”
>> A wind advisory is in effect for Maui County, Oahu and Kauai County through 6 a.m. Monday. Northeast winds of 20 to 35 mph with localized gusts to 55 mph are expected to buffet the islands. “Winds this strong can tear off shingles, knock down tree branches, blow away tents and awnings and make it difficult to steer, especially for drivers of high profile vehicles,” the NWS said.
>> A high surf warning is in effect for the east shores of Hawaii island through 6 a.m. Sunday. Forecasters expect dangerous “large and disorganized” surf up to 14 to 18 feet today through this evening.
>> A high surf advisory is in effect for the east shores of Maui through 6 p.m. Sunday. Forecasters expect surf rising to 8 to 12 feet this afternoon through tonight.
In a hurricane local statement today, weather officials said “bands of heavy showers and thunderstorms are expected to intensify this afternoon and tonight, bringing a threat of flash flooding” to Hawaii island, though Hamakua, Hilo, Puna and Kau Districts are at greatest risk.
Meanwhile, in the Eastern Pacific, Hurricane Gilma jumped in strength.
Located about 1,585 miles east of Hilo at 11 a.m., Gilma had maximum sustained winds of 110 mph while heading west at 9 mph, according to the National Hurricane Center in Miami.
“Some additional strengthening could occur during the next several hours,” the NHC said. However, the storm is expected to again start weakening on Sunday through early next week.
Hurricane-force winds extend outward up to 35 miles from Gilma’s center and tropical-storm-force winds extend outward up to 115 miles.
PREVIOUS COVERAGE
Tropical Storm Hone continues to strengthen as it approaches the islands from the southeast as Hurricane Gilma loses steam in the Eastern Pacific.
Located about 220 miles southeast of Hilo and 425 miles east-southeast of Honolulu at 8 a.m. today, Hone was packing maximum sustained winds of 65 mph while heading west at 15 mph, according to the Central Pacific Hurricane Center.
Forecasters expect Hone to continue on its current track over the next few days, with its center passing near or south of Hawaii island tonight into early Sunday.
More strengthening is also expected over the next few days, with Hone expected to become a hurricane Sunday through Monday after it passes Hawaii island, the CPHC said.
Tropical-storm-force winds extend outward up to 115 miles from Hone’s center.
A tropical storm warning remains in effect for Hawaii island, meaning tropical storm conditions are expected in the area within 36 hours.
Hilo, Pahoa and Volcano on Hawaii island could see rainfall amounts of up to 8 to 12 inches. Rainfall totals of 2 to 4 inches will be possible over portions of the smaller islands, mainly windward.
Wind forecasts vary across the islands but some areas could see sustained winds of 30 to 40 mph with gusts up to 60 mph. The summits of Mauna Kea and Mauna Loa could see gusts of 65 mph.
Meanwhile, in the Eastern Pacific, forecasters expect a weakening Gilma to remain a hurricane for another day or two.
Located about 1,645 miles east of Hilo as of 5 a.m., Gilma had maximum sustained winds of 90 mph while heading west at 9 mph, according to the Nation Hurricane Center in Miami.
Weather officials expect Gilma to continue weakening over the next day or two while remaining a hurricane through the weekend. However, the storm should increase in forward speed over the next few days.
Hurricane-force winds extend outward up to 35 miles from Gilma’s center and tropical-storm-force winds extend outward up to 115 miles.