» View Hurricane Lester’s track

Update 5 a.m.

Tropical Storm Madeline continued moving away from the Big Island this morning, with maximum sustained winds decreasing to 50 mph.

At 5 a.m., the storm was 120 miles south-southwest of South Point and 325 miles south of Honolulu, moving west at 14 mph. Tropical storm-force winds extend outward up to 90 miles from the center.

A flash flood watch remains in effect for Hawaii island and the state is under a wind advisory, with the the forecast calling for east to northeast winds up to 35 mph and higher gusts to 50 mph.

High surf and heavy rains associated with Madeline are expected to diminish for the islands, forecasters said. The storm, which brushed by the Big Island Wednesday bringing heavy rains and strong winds, is expected to dissipate as it moves west over the next five days, according to the Central Pacific Hurricane Center.

As Madeline moves south of the islands, however, Hurricane Lester approaches the islands from the east. It is expected to pass just north of the island chain starting this weekend. A hurricane watch has been issued for Maui and Hawaii counties.

Update 2:30 a.m.

The tropical storm warning issued for Hawaii County and Maui County was discontinued as Tropical Storm Madeline continues to move away from Hawaii.

At 2 a.m., Madeline was about 155 miles south-southwest of South Point and about 325 miles south-southeast of Honolulu.

Maximum sustained winds remained at 50 mph and Madeline continues to move west-southwest at 14 mph, weather officials said.

Tropical storm gusts are still possible over portions of Hawaii County and Maui County for the next few hours.

Surf swells and rainfall associated with Madeline will diminish over the Big Island and Maui throughout the day.

Update 11 p.m.

Tropical Storm Madeline continued to weaken and travel south of the Big Island.

At 11 p.m. Madeline was located about 150 miles south-southwest of South Point and about 320 miles south-southeast of Honolulu, according to the National Weather Service.

Maximum sustained winds weakened to 50 mph and will steadily weaken over the next 48 hours.

Weather officials expect Madeline to weaken to a tropical depression by Friday.

A tropical storm warning is still in effect for Hawaii County and Maui County.

Update 8:15 p.m.

Tropical Storm Madeline weakened as it moved farther south of the Big Island.

At 8 p.m., Madeline was 175 miles south of Hilo and 305 miles southeast of Honolulu, moving southwest at 15 mph, the National Weather Service said.

The storm’s maximum sustained winds neared 65 mph, with tropical storm-force winds extending up to 105 miles from the center.

Officials warn that rainfall could still lead to flash floods and mudslides.

Update 6:30 p.m.

The National Weather Service extended a flood advisory for Hawaii island as rains spread into the Kau District with rates of up to an inch an hour.

Moderate to heavy rain is also falling over North Hilo, South Hilo and the Puna districts.

The rain is expected to continue over east and southeast slopes for several hours.

Locations in the advisory include Hilo, Hawaiian Paradise Park, Honomu, Keaau, Naalehu, Pahoa, Pepeekeo, Pahala, Glenwood, Hawaiian Acres, Kawa Flats and Mountain View.

The advisory is in effect until 9:15 p.m.

Update 5:05 p.m.

The National Weather Service posted a flood advisory for the east side of Hawaii island after radar and rain gauges showed heavy rainfall from Tropical Storm Madeline falling on eastern slopes.

Rain rates of 1 to 2 inches per hour were falling on North Hilo, South Hilo and the Puna districts.

The rains will continue for several hours, forecasters said.

The advisory is in effect until 8 p.m.

Locations in the advisory include Hilo, Hawaiian Paradise Park, Honomu, Keaau, Pahoa, Pepeekeo, Pahala, Glenwood, Hawaiian Acres, Mountain View, Volcano and Hawaii Volcanoes National Park.

Update 5 p.m.

Tropical Storm Madeline continued to weaken on a path to pass south of the Big Island tonight.

At 5 p.m., Madeline’s sustained winds dropped to 65 mph, with tropical storm-force winds extending 105 miles from the center.

The storm was 115 miles south of Hilo and 290 miles southeast of Honolulu. It’s track has shifted from due west to west-southwest at 12 mph.

The storm is expected to continue to weaken and should gradually turn back to a westerly direction Thursday and Friday.

Tropical storm conditions are expected to continue over Hawaii island and Maui county tonight with winds strongest over mountains and downslope.

Surf could be damaging in Hawaii County, especially in the Puna and Kau districts.

Rain of 5 to 10 inches, with isolated areas getting up to 15 inches is possible on the Big Island. Maui could see 1 to 4 inches of rain in spots.

Update 2 p.m.

Madeline weakened to a strong tropical storm as it moved within 85 miles of South Point on the Big Island.

Winds decreased to 70 mph, from 75 mph late this morning.

The storm was 105 miles south-southeast of Hilo and 300 miles southeast of Honolulu, moving west-southwest at 12 mph at 2 p.m.

Tropical storm-force winds extend 125 miles from the center.

Strong winds, clocked at 60 mph, were recorded in North Kohala this morning.

The Big Island has also been getting high surf and rains ahead of Madeline’s center.

Madeline’s center is expected to pass south of South Point today and tonight. But thunderstorms and winds northeast of the center are expected to move over the island through Thursday.

Tropical storm conditions are also expected to develop over Maui County later today and tonight.

Forecasters said winds will be strongest over mountains and where winds blow down slope from higher terrain.

“Swells generated by Madeline will peak across Hawaiian waters this afternoon and early evening, possibly becoming damaging along east-facing shores of Hawaii County,” forecasters said.

Hawaii island should see rainfall of 5 to 10 inches as the storm passes. Rain totals as high as 15 inches are possible, especially over windward areas and the Kau District.

Maui County can see up to 4 inches of rain, mainly over windward areas.

Both Hawaii and Maui counties are under tropical storm warnings.

Hawaii island is also under a flash flood watch.

A high surf warning is posted for East Maui and Kauai, Oahu, Molokai and West Maui are under high surf advisories.

Update 11 a.m.

The National Weather Service dropped a hurricane warning for Hawaii island as Hurricane Madeline continued to weaken as it moved to within 95 miles southeast of Hilo, with winds of 75 mph, just barely above category 1 hurricane strength of 74 mph.

Tropical Storm warnings remain in effect for Hawaii and Maui counties.

“Under a Tropical Storm Warning, people on the Big Island can still expect damaging winds, very large and dangerous surf, and the continued threat of flash flooding,” forecasters said.

The storm, about 305 miles southeast of Honolulu, is moving west at 12 mph and was expected to become a tropical storm this afternoon.

Hurricane-force winds extend 10 miles from the center and tropical storm-force winds extend 125 miles from the center.

Tropical storm-force winds of 43 mph, gusting to 51 mph were recorded at Kamuela Airport this morning.

Heavy rains, winds and surf ahead of the center began arriving on Hawaii island this morning. The center is expected to pass close to South Point tonight.

Previous coverage:

Hurricane Madeline is rapidly weakening and speeding up as outer rain bands and high surf from the storm reach Hawaii island this morning.

Behind Madeline, Lester remained a powerful Category 4 hurricane that could bring more waves, wind and rain to Hawaii this weekend.

At 8 a.m., Madeline was barely hanging on as a Category 1 hurricane with winds of 75 mph, about 120 miles east-southeast of Hilo and 335 miles east-southeast of Honolulu, moving west at 14 mph. Hurricane-force winds extend 10 miles from the center and tropical storm-force winds go out 125 miles from the center.

Forecasters said wind shear is starting to tear the storm apart, but it is still expected to be at hurricane strength when it passes over or near South Point tonight. Madeline is expected to weaken to a tropical storm with winds below 74 mph as it moves south of Oahu and other islands Thursday.

Hawaii island and Maui County are expected to take brunt of the storm tonight and Thursday.

Satellite images showed stormy conditions in the northeast corner of Madeline, so the rains and strong winds on Hawaii island and Maui County are likely to continue into Thursday, after the center of the storm passes the island.

A hurricane warning is posted for the Big Island, and the National Weather Service put Maui county under a tropical storm warning this morning. The warnings mean hurricane or tropical storm conditions are possible within 36 hours.

A flash flood watch is posted for Hawaii island.

Forecasters said Hawaii island could get 5 to 10 inches of rain from Madeline with isolated areas, especially in windward sections, getting up to 15 inches. Maui could see 1 to 3 inches, with some areas getting up to 5 inches. Thunderstorms are possible.

“This rainfall may lead to dangerous flash floods and mudslides,” forecasters said.

The National Weather Service lifted a flood advisory for South Hilo and Puna after heavy rains this morning eased.

A high surf warning is also east shores of Maui, where surf could peak at 12 to 18 feet today. The surf is starting to arrive on east shores of Hawaii island.

Oahu, Kauai and Molokai’s east shores are under a high surf advisory as waves generated by Madeline’s winds come ashore.

Winds are also a threat. Forecasters said tropical storm force-winds are expected on Hawaii island and Maui County. Some areas of Hawaii island could also see hurricane-force winds.

The forecast calls for winds of 30 to 50 mph with higher gusts on Hawaii island and winds greater than 39 mph on Maui.

Leeward areas could see locally stronger gusts as winds go downslope and funnel down canyons.

Other islands will also see stronger tradewinds of 15 to 35 mph with higher gusts as Madeline passes because of the difference between the high pressure to the north and the low pressue at Madeline’s center.

Forecasters expect a slight increase in humidity and tradewind showers for Oahu and Kauai. Some of the rains are likely to blow over to leeward sides.

About 1,085 miles East of Hilo, Lester maintained its major hurricane status with sustained winds of 130 mph, moving west at 12 mph at 5 a.m.

Lester is expected to take a turn to the northwest and pass near Hawaii this weekend, potentially bringing more muggy weather, big waves, strong winds and rains Friday through Sunday.