Kiko downgraded to tropical storm as it passes north of Hawaii

COURTESY CPHC

The 5-day forecast track for Hurricane Kiko as of 11 p.m. Monday

UPDATE: 11:35 p.m.

Kiko weakened to a tropical storm Monday night and is on track to pass well north of Hawaii over the next two days.

At 11 p.m., Kiko had maximum sustained winds of 60 mph and was 245 miles northeast of Hilo and 375 miles east of Honolulu. It was moving west-northwest at 14 mph, according to the Central Pacific Hurricane Center in Honolulu. Forecasters expect Kiko to continue weakening as it passes Hawaii.

While it will not hit Hawaii directly, Kiko is expected to bring high surf and increased humidity to the islands Tuesday and Wednesday.

A high-surf warning is in effect for eastern shores of Oahu, Hawaii island, Maui, Kauai and Molokai from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. Tuesday.

“Tropical Cyclone Kiko will bring a rapid rise in surf along east-facing shores starting with the Big Island and Maui County (Monday night) and Oahu and Kauai (Tuesday). Surf heights are expected to peak at high surf warning levels,” according to the National Weather Service.

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Dangerous, large waves of 10 to 15 feet are expected for the east shores of Oahu and Kauai. Swells will potentially produce life-threatening surf and rip currents, forecasters said.

They also expect “an uptick in humidity” as Kiko moves past the islands over the next two days.

“Kiko will pass north of the islands Tuesday and Wednesday, disrupting the tradewinds, producing areas of heavy rainfall, and generating large surf along east-­facing shores. Moderate tradewinds and a typical pattern of windward rainfall will return on Thursday,” forecasters said.

The high daily temperature for Honolulu is expected to be 89 degrees throughout the week, with daily overnight lows of 76 degrees.

A tropical storm warning also has been issued for offshore waters beyond 40 nautical miles out to 240 nautical miles, including the portion of the Papaha­na­umokuakea Marine National Monument east of French Frigate Shoals, where rough seas, strong winds and isolated thunderstorms are expected through Thursday, the weather service said.

5 p.m.

Kiko, a Category 1 hurricane, is steadily weakening and expected to become a tropical storm tonight.

Kiko is forecast to pass north of Hawaiian Islands Tuesday and Wednesday.

At about 5 p.m., Kiko was located at about 300 miles east-northeeast of Hilo and about 450 miles east of Honolulu.

Kiko was packing maximum sustained winds of 75 mph and moving at near 14 mph.

Maximum sustained winds are near 75 mph with higher gusts with weakening forecast over the next few days.

Hurricane-force winds extend outward up to 45 miles from the center and tropical-storm-force winds extend outward up to 125 miles.

Meanwhile, a high surf warning is in effect for the east-facing shores of Oahu, Hawaii island, Maui, Kauai and Molokai.

“Tropical Cyclone Kiko will bring a rapid rise in surf along east facing shores starting with Big Island and Maui County tonight and Oahu and Kauai on Tuesday. Surf heights are expected to peak at High Surf Warning levels,” according to the forecast.

Dangerous, large breaking waves of 10 to 15 feet are expected for the eastern shores of Oahu and Kauai from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Swells generated by Kiko are gradually building from east to west across the exposed Hawaiian waters. Swells will potentially produce life-threatening surf and rip currents.

11 a.m.

Hurricane Kiko continues moving northwest and is expected to pass north of the main Hawaiian Islands later this week.

At 11 a.m. Kiko was centered about 350 miles east-northeast of Hilo and 515 miles east of Honolulu, moving northwest at 15 mph, the Central Pacific Hurricane Center said this morning. Maximum sustained winds are near 85 mph, with gusts higher, and weakening is forecast over the next few days. Kiko is expected to become a tropical storm by Tuesday morning.

Hurricane-force winds extend up to 45 miles from the storm’s center, while tropical-storm-force winds reach 115 miles.

Though Kiko is forecast to stay north of the islands, swells generated by the hurricane are expected to build along east-facing shores through midweek, producing hazardous surf and dangerous rip currents. Residents and visitors are urged to monitor updates and heed potential high surf warnings.

EARLIER COVERAGE

Hurricane Kiko weakened to a Category 1 storm early today as it moved closer to Hawaii but is still expected to pass north of the islands Tuesday and Wednesday, bringing large surf and increased humidity.

As of 5 a.m., Kiko was about 410 miles east of Hilo and 590 miles east of Honolulu with maximum sustained winds of 85 mph, according to the Central Pacific Hurricane Center. The storm was moving west-northwest at about 15 mph. Forecasters expect Kiko to weaken into a tropical storm by tonight.

While no coastal watches or warnings are in effect, a tropical storm warning has been issued for offshore waters beyond 40 nautical miles out to 240 nautical miles, including the portion of the Papahanaumokuakea Marine National Monument east of French Frigate Shoals, where rough seas, stronger winds and isolated thunderstorms are expected through Thursday, according to the National Weather Service.

Swells generated by Kiko are expected to reach the east-facing shores of the islands today and continue building through midweek. The NWS said surf could peak at high surf warning levels on Tuesday.

Moisture from Kiko’s outer bands is expected to move into the state starting tonight, increasing clouds and bringing passing showers, mainly along windward and mauka areas. As tradewinds weaken, lighter sea breezes could trigger heavier afternoon showers Tuesday and Wednesday, and forecasters said a brief thunderstorm on Tuesday cannot be ruled out. Dew points are also expected to rise into the low to mid-70s, making conditions feel muggy across much of the islands.

By late Wednesday into Thursday, Kiko is forecast to move away to the northwest, allowing tradewinds to return. Drier air is expected to spread over the state.

Residents are urged to continue monitoring updates as Kiko passes north of the islands.

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