FELICIA 210 MILES ENE OF HILO, WINDS 40 MPH: 5 P.M. 8/10/09

(Updated @ 5 p.m. Monday August 10, 2009)

TROPICAL STORM FELICIA ADVISORY NUMBER 30

A tropical storm watch remains in effect for Oahu and for all of Maui county, which includes the islands of Maui, Kahoolawe, Lanai and Molokai. A tropical storm watch means that tropical storm conditions are possible within the watch area, in this case within the next 24 hours.

State and County officials are briefed on the track of Felicia at a briefing on Sunday at the County Emergency Operating Center. Photo Courtesy: County of Maui.

At 5:00 pm HST, the center of tropical storm Felicia was located near latitude 20.9 north…longitude 152.1 west…or about 210 miles…east-northeast of Hilo Hawaii and about 375 miles…east of Honolulu Hawaii.

Felicia is moving toward the west near 10 mph and this motion is expected to continue for the next couple of days. The center of Felicia is expected to reach the Hawaiian Islands on Tuesday with Rain-bands beginning to affect the islands overnight.

Maximum sustained winds are near 40 mph…with higher gusts. Weakening is forecast during the next couple of days.

Tropical storm force winds extend outward up to 140 miles from the center.

Estimated minimum central pressure is 1007 mb…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 tonight and Tuesday. Also…regardless of the intensity of Felicia when it reaches the Hawaiian Islands, locally heavy rainfall may occur and flash flooding remains a possibility.

SUMMARY OF 500 PM HST INFORMATION:

LOCATION…20.9N 152.1W

MAXIMUM SUSTAINED WINDS…40 MPH

PRESENT MOVEMENT…WEST OR 270 DEGREES AT 10 MPH MINIMUM CENTRAL PRESSURE…1007 MB

(Updated at 5:00 p.m. Monday, August 10, 2009 by Wendy Osher.  Information provided by FORECASTER BURKE/KNABB with the NWS Central Pacific Hurricane Center).