AT 8 A.M. 8/10/09: FELICIA 285 MILES E OF HILO, WINDS 45 MPH

(Updated @ 8 a.m. Monday August 10, 2009)

OVERVIEW NOTE:  The onset of rain and wind from Tropical Storm Felicia is expected to begin at around 10 p.m. on Maui.  The effects could bring isolated heavy rainfall over an 8-10 hour period.

TROPICAL STORM FELICIA ADVISORY NUMBER 28A

(Click to enlarge image. Image courtesy NOAA & The National Hurricane Center)

At 800 a.m. HST Monday, August 10, 2009, the center of tropical storm Felicia was located about 285 miles east-northeast of Hilo, Hawaii, and about 450 miles east of Honolulu, Hawaii (near latitude 20.9 north…longitude 150.8 west).

Felicia is moving toward the west near 12 mph, and this motion is expected to continue through Tuesday night. The outer winds from Felicia are expected to reach the easternmost Hawaiian Islands later tonight, before spreading across the central Hawaiian Islands on Tuesday.

Data from an air force reconnaissance aircraft suggest that maximum sustained winds remain near 45 mph with higher gusts. Weakening is forecast during the next couple of days. Felicia is expected to reach the main Hawaiian Islands as either a tropical depression, or possibly a tropical storm if the expected weakening does not occur.

Tropical storm force winds extend outward up to 125 miles from the center.

The latest minimum central pressure reported by the U.S. air force reserves reconnaissance aircraft was 1007 MB or 29.74 inches.

A large swell generated by Felicia is already affecting the main Hawaiian Islands. This swell will continue to build across the state today and tonight. Also, regardless of the intensity of Felicia when it reaches the Hawaiian Islands, locally heavy rainfall is still expected to occur and flash flooding remains a possibility.

SUMMARY OF 800 AM HST INFORMATION:

Location…20.9n 150.8w

Maximum sustained winds…45 mph

Present movement…west or 270 degrees at 12 mph minimum central Pressure…1007 MB

The next advisory will be issued by the Central Pacific Hurricane Center at 11 a.m. HST, Monday, August 10, 2009)

(Updated @ 8 a.m. Monday August 10, 2009 by Wendy Osher; Information provided by FORECASTER BURKE/KNABB with the NWS Central Pacific Hurricane Center)