ZCZC HFOTCPCP1 ALL TTAA00 PHFO DDHHMM BULLETIN HURRICANE LESTER ADVISORY NUMBER 34 NWS CENTRAL PACIFIC HURRICANE CENTER HONOLULU HI EP132016 500 PM HST THU SEP 01 2016 ...HURRICANE LESTER STRENGTHENS AND CONTINUES MOVING WESTWARD TOWARD THE HAWAIIAN ISLANDS... SUMMARY OF 500 PM HST...0300 UTC...INFORMATION ---------------------------------------------- LOCATION...18.7N 146.0W ABOUT 595 MI...960 KM E OF HILO HAWAII ABOUT 790 MI...1275 KM E OF HONOLULU HAWAII MAXIMUM SUSTAINED WINDS...125 MPH...205 KM/H PRESENT MOVEMENT...WNW OR 285 DEGREES AT 14 MPH...22 KM/H MINIMUM CENTRAL PRESSURE...957 MB...28.26 INCHES WATCHES AND WARNINGS -------------------- CHANGES WITH THIS ADVISORY: A Hurricane Watch has been issued for Oahu. SUMMARY OF WATCHES AND WARNINGS IN EFFECT: A Hurricane Watch is in effect for... * Hawaii County * Maui County including the islands of Maui, Molokai, Lanai and Kahoolawe A Hurricane Watch means that hurricane force winds are possible within the watch area. A Hurricane Watch is typically issued 48 hours before the anticipated first occurrence of tropical storm force winds, conditions that make outside preparations difficult or dangerous. Interests elsewhere in the Hawaiian Islands should monitor the progress of Lester. For storm information specific to your area, please monitor products issued by the National Weather Service office in Honolulu Hawaii. DISCUSSION AND 48-HOUR OUTLOOK ------------------------------ At 500 PM HST (0300 UTC), the center of Hurricane Lester was located near latitude 18.7 North, longitude 146.0 West. Lester is moving toward the west-northwest near 14 mph (22 km/h). This general motion is expected to continue during the next 48 hours. Maximum sustained winds are near 125 mph (205 km/h) with higher gusts. Lester is a category 3 hurricane on the Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Wind Scale. Little change in intensity is expected into tonight, followed by gradual weakening. Hurricane-force winds extend outward up to 35 miles (55 km) from the center and tropical-storm-force winds extend outward up to 150 miles (240 km). The estimated minimum central pressure is 957 mb (28.26 inches). HAZARDS AFFECTING LAND ---------------------- WIND: Hurricane conditions are possible over Hawaii and Maui Counties on Saturday, with tropical storm conditions possibly developing as early as late Friday night. Hurricane conditions are possible over Oahu on Saturday night, with tropical storm conditions possibly developing as early as Saturday afternoon. SURF: Swells generated by Lester will build over east facing shores tonight and Friday. Surf will peak this weekend, becoming very large and damaging along portions of east facing shores. RAIN: Heavy rains associated with Lester may reach Hawaii and Maui counties on Saturday, and may reach Oahu on Saturday night. NEXT ADVISORY ------------- Next intermediate advisory at 800 PM HST. Next complete advisory at 1100 PM HST. $$ Forecaster Wroe NNNN