Ignacio blew up into a major Category 4 hurricane with 140 mph winds on Saturday, a strengthening trend that also worked to tug the system slightly farther north, away from the islands. ADVERTISING Ignacio blew up into a major Category
Ignacio blew up into a major Category 4 hurricane with 140 mph winds on Saturday, a strengthening trend that also worked to tug the system slightly farther north, away from the islands.
The National Weather Service warned residents not to shrug this one off.
“I get the feeling people have let their guard down because the last couple have missed us,” said meteorologist Chevy Chevalier.
“This could be a dangerous storm. There is going to be a gradual weakening but that won’t happen overnight. It’s going to be a major hurricane 200 miles off of Hilo, and it’s set to stay a hurricane until it’s well past the island chain.”
“Forget about the rest of the storms,” Chevalier said.
“Complacency is a recipe for disaster.”
Ignacio was a massive hurricane Saturday evening with a clear eye greater than 20 miles in diameter.
The National Weather Service issued a tropical storm watch and high surf advisory for the Big Island and Maui on Saturday as Ignacio moved to the northwest at 9 mph, some 550 miles east-southeast of Hilo.
Hurricane force winds extended out 30 miles from the center and tropical storm force winds reached out 140 miles.
Forecasters believe the cyclone will be about 150 miles northeast of the island on Monday afternoon with 110 mph winds, on a gradual weakening trend. Wind and rain from the storm could be felt by Sunday evening.
Future adjustments in the track could very well mean the storm will pass closer than expected, Chevalier cautioned.
“The winds are going to be a growing concern, especially if it weakens slowly or turns more west,” he said.
The chance of tropical storm winds on the Big Island range from 29 to 51 percent. The system could bring 2 to 4 inches of rain and up to 6 inches in some areas, according to the NWS. Surf was expected to build to 5-8 feet along east and south shores Saturday, peaking at 10 to 14 feet late Sunday.
Warm water and low wind shear allowed a window for Ignacio to peak with 145 mph winds Saturday night before those same conditions become less favorable and cause a gradual weakening.
But Ignacio also may become an annular hurricane, which would slow its weakening, caution meteorologists with the Central Pacific Hurricane Center.
An annular hurricane has a wide, symmetrical eye and intense, uniform convection.
Emergency managers around the state remained on high alert over the weekend, urging residents to wrap up their preparations.
The Red Cross is continuing its planning to staff emergency shelters if necessary and hoping for the best, said Barney Sheffield, Red Cross disaster coordinator for the island.
