ZCZC HFOTCDCP2 ALL TTAA00 PHFO DDHHMM Hurricane Lane Discussion Number 35 NWS Central Pacific Hurricane Center Honolulu HI EP142018 1100 PM HST Wed Aug 22 2018 Lane remains resilient in the face of increasing southwesterly wind shear, and remains a potent category 4 hurricane this evening. The cloud-filled eye continues to be surrounded by a solid ring of cold cloud tops, with lightning bursts persisting in the northern eye wall for the last several hours. The subjective Dvorak current intensity estimates from GTW/TAFB/HFO/SAB were all 6.5/127 kt for this advisory, while ADT was slightly lower. The current intensity estimate for this advisory will remain 125 kt based on a blend of these data. Lane continues to make the long-awaited turn toward the northwest, and the forward speed has slowed, with the initial motion for this advisory estimated to be 315/6 kt. Lane has reached the western periphery of a deep-layer ridge, with a trough aloft to the northwest of Hawaii. The steering flow is relatively light and out of the south, and Lane will move northwest and north at a relatively slow speed through Friday in this environment. By 48 to 72 hours, most of the track guidance begins to show a sharp turn toward the west, as the low level circulation of Lane decouples in the face of 35 to 40 kt of shear. Exactly when this critical turn will happen is very difficult to forecast, so confidence in this portion of the track is quite low. The updated track forecast is very close to the previous but has been shifted slightly closer to the islands on days 2 and 3, when Lane will be making its closest point of approach to the islands. In deference to the HCCA, the forecast track has shifted to the right in response to the HWFI/GFSI and other members doing so, while the EMXI lies on the left hand side of the guidance envelope. Beyond 72 hours, the shallow circulation of Lane is expected to be carried westward away from the islands in the low-level trade wind flow. Lane is beginning to move underneath increasing shear, analyzed to be near 20 kt, and latest satellite pictures indicate that this may be finally beginning to negatively impact Lane. The shear is expected to remain moderate for the first 24 to 36 hours, then become quite strong beyond 48 hours. A gradual weakening trend is shown through 48 hours, with more rapid weakening beyond that time frame. The intensity forecast remains on the high end of the guidance envelope, but follows closely all of the guidance trends that indicate significant weakening through the forecast period. KEY MESSAGES: 1. Lane will pass dangerously close to the main Hawaiian Islands as a hurricane Thursday and Friday, and is expected to bring damaging winds. These winds can be accelerated over and downslope from elevated terrain, and will be higher in high rise buildings. 2. The slow movement of Lane also greatly increases the threat for prolonged heavy rainfall and extreme rainfall totals. This is expected to lead to life-threatening flash flooding and landslides over all Hawaiian Islands. 3. Large and damaging surf can be expected along exposed shorelines, especially along south and west facing coasts, with localized storm surge exacerbating the impacts of a prolonged period of damaging surf. 4. Do not focus on the exact forecast track or intensity of Lane, and be prepared for adjustments to the forecast. Although the official forecast does not explicitly indicate Lane's center making landfall over any of the islands, this could still occur. Even if the center of Lane remains offshore, severe impacts could still be realized as they extend well away from the center. FORECAST POSITIONS AND MAX WINDS INIT 23/0900Z 16.3N 156.9W 125 KT 145 MPH 12H 23/1800Z 17.2N 157.2W 120 KT 140 MPH 24H 24/0600Z 18.4N 157.4W 115 KT 130 MPH 36H 24/1800Z 19.5N 157.6W 95 KT 110 MPH 48H 25/0600Z 20.2N 158.1W 75 KT 85 MPH 72H 26/0600Z 20.4N 160.5W 65 KT 75 MPH 96H 27/0600Z 20.0N 163.0W 50 KT 60 MPH 120H 28/0600Z 20.5N 166.5W 40 KT 45 MPH $$ Forecaster Birchard NNNN