Guillermo has weakened into a tropical storm. ADVERTISING Guillermo has weakened into a tropical storm. As of 5 a.m. today, the storm, which had been as strong as a category 2 hurricane, was about 630 miles east-southeast of Hilo with
Guillermo has weakened into a tropical storm.
As of 5 a.m. today, the storm, which had been as strong as a category 2 hurricane, was about 630 miles east-southeast of Hilo with maximum sustained winds of about 70 miles an hour, just below hurricane strength. It was moving west-northwest at 17 mph.
Tropical storm force winds of at least 39 mph extend about 125 miles from the storm’s center.
The projected track for the center continues to run just north of the Big Island, passing directly over Maui early Thursday morning — however, it is still too early to say just where the storm will go. Heavy rains and wind could be felt on the Big Island starting Wednesday, with effects projected to last into Thursday.
Large, dangerous surf ahead of Guillermo will build to around 14 feet on east-facing shore on Monday, according to a coastal hazard message from the National Weather Service in Honolulu. Strong current and breakers will make swimming and other water sports very dangerous during this period.
Hawaii County Civil Defense and other emergency responders around the state continue to monitor the cyclone’s progress. Emergency managers are urging residents to prepare, have emergency supplies on hand and to continue paying attention to the storm. Forecasters note the range of error possible in long range forecasts and say it is still too early to know which part of the state may be most heavily impacted. Damaging winds can extend well away from a storm’s center.
Email John Burnett at jburnett@hawaiitribune-herald.com and Bret Yager at byager@westhawaiitoday.com.
