Hurricane Kiko has been downgraded to a Category 3 storm but may re-intensify as it continues its path far to the east-southeast of Hawaii.
The hurricane is forecast to approach the Hawaiian Islands early to mid-next week, bringing an increasing risk of direct impacts from wind and rain. While the exact location and intensity of these impacts are still uncertain, the potential for flooding rainfall exists from Monday through early Thursday. The system is also expected to generate life-threatening high surf and rip currents along east-facing shores, beginning later this weekend.
In its 5 p.m. update, the National Hurricane Center reported Kiko’s maximum sustained winds at 125 mph, a slight decrease from 130 mph earlier Thursday. The storm was located approximately 1,360 miles east-southeast of Hilo, moving west at 9 mph. Hurricane-force winds extend up to 25 miles from the center, with tropical-storm-force winds reaching 80 miles.
Forecasters anticipate Kiko will make a gradual turn to the west-northwest overnight into Friday and increase its forward speed through the weekend, crossing into the Central Pacific basin late Friday or early Saturday.
While a brief period of re-intensification is possible, the storm is expected to encounter cooler ocean temperatures, increased wind shear, and dry air as it moves closer to the state. These factors are projected to cause rapid weakening, with the current forecast predicting Kiko will approach the islands as a tropical storm.
Given the uncertainty in the forecast track, residents are advised to use this time to ensure their emergency plans and hurricane supplies are in order.
Source link
