Tropical Storm Ana is no longer forecast to reach Hawaii Island as a hurricane, though potentially damaging winds and rain are expected. ADVERTISING Tropical Storm Ana is no longer forecast to reach Hawaii Island as a hurricane, though potentially damaging
Tropical Storm Ana is no longer forecast to reach Hawaii Island as a hurricane, though potentially damaging winds and rain are expected.
An updated forecast Thursday morning showed Ana passing southwest of the island Saturday as a tropical storm after reaching Category 1 hurricane status sometime Friday.
Matt Foster, National Weather Service meteorologist, said Ana is expected to get as close as 80 miles from the island as it begins to pursue a northwest track sometime after Friday morning.
Winds will be strongest on the southeast, south and west sides of the island where sustained winds could reach 50 mph beginning Friday night, he said.
Rainfall could also be between 6 and 12 inches Friday and Saturday in those areas.
Hilo and windward areas to the north could see less of an impact.
Foster said those areas could see 6 to 8 inches of rain with sustained winds of 30 mph.
“Anywhere on the island could see winds of at least 30 mph,” he said.
Surf could reach 10 to 20 feet on south and southeast facing shores and 8 to 12 feet on the west side of the island, Foster said.
Hilo could see surf of about 6 to 8 feet, he said.
Stronger wind shear will cause Ana to weaken faster than previously expected, Foster said.
The storm also continues to move west, which will prevent the island from taking a direct hit, he said.
