Tropical Storm Pewa 1275 Miles SW of Kauaʻi

Pewa, 8/16/13. Satellite imagery courtesy NWS/NOAA/CPHC.

By Wendy Osher

The Central Pacific Hurricane Center is tracking three systems located in the Central Pacific.

The strongest is Tropical Storm Pewa, which was located 1275 miles SW of Kauaʻi at around 8 a.m. on Friday, Aug. 16, 2013, according to the CPHC.

TS Pewa was last tracked moving WNW at 13 mph, and had maximum sustained winds of 40 mph, according to a CPHC forecast.

Pewa’s orientation to other locations within the state was: 1390 miles WSW of Hilo; 1335 miles WSW of Kailua-Kona; 1335 miles WSW of South Point; 1360 miles SW of Kahului; 1310 miles SW of Kaunakakai; 1325 miles SW of Lānaʻi City; 1290 miles SW of Honolulu; 1245 miles SW of Līhuʻe; and 1195 miles SW of Niʻihau, according to the CPHC.

Pewa, 8/16/13. 5-day track courtesy NWS/NOAA/CPHC.

Forecasters say Pewa is the first tropical cyclone to develop within the Central North Pacific Basin in the 2013 season.

Pewa, according to the Hawaiian Dictionary is defined as the tail of fish, shrimp, or lobster.  The next cyclone to develop in the Central Pacific will be named Unala, followed by Wali and Ana.

Forecasters are also tracking an area of low pressure centered about 800 miles SW of Kauaʻi.  Although thunderstorms persist along the eastern flank of the system, CPHC officials say its proximity to Pewa is making conditions marginally conductive for further development.

Another area being tracked is a surface trough located about 450 miles S of Hilo.  Forecasters say the system is producing disorganized showers and thunderstorms as it moves to the west at 15 to 20 mph.

According to information released by the CPHC, environmental conditions are not conducive for further development.