Hurricane Center: Tropical Cyclone Likely to Form Later Today

 By Maui Now Staff

The National Weather Service’s Central Pacific Hurricane Center in Honolulu has issued an update today, Tuesday, July 7, at 2 p.m. for the Central North Pacific (between 140°W and 180°W).

Showers and thunderstorms associated with a large area of low pressure located about 1,075 miles east southeast of Hilo on Hawai‘i Island have continued to become better organized.

A tropical cyclone will likely form later today or tonight as this system moves toward the west northwest at 15 to 20 mph.

The chance of cyclone formation through the next 48 hours is high at 90 percent.

Showers and thunderstorms persist near a weak, nearly stationary surface low located about 750 miles south southeast of Hilo. This system remains disorganized and environmental conditions do not appear to be favorable for significant development in this area during the next two days.

Formation chance through the next 48 hours is low at 10 percent.

Showers and thunderstorms associated with a broad area of low pressure located about 1,100 miles south southwest of Honolulu increased in coverage, and have become slightly better organized overnight. Environmental conditions appear to be somewhat conducive for some slow development of this system as it moves slowly toward the north or northeast over the next couple of days.

Formation chance through the next 48 hours is medium at 60 percent.

Elsewhere, no tropical cyclones are expected through Thursday afternoon.