sa_butta
09-21-2005, 11:05 AM
HONOLULU - Forecasters Monday night said Hurricane Jova is not expected to pose a danger to the state. Forecasters also warn that storms can be extremely unpredictable and said its path could change at any moment.
The Category 3 storm was about 750 miles east-southeast of Hilo Monday night, with winds of 115 mph and gusts up to 130 mph.
The latest forecast track calls for gradual weakening through the week as Jova moves over cooler water, safely to the north of the state.
Jova did jog slightly to the west of its forecast track Monday. KITV 4 Island Weather anchor Justin Fujioka checked in with the Central Pacific Hurricane Center to see if that meant that Jova could be changing its course.
"Often times, in tracking in one direction, it will do a loop or vary a little bit to the left and then back to the right. So right now, we're not changing the forecast on it, but we are watching it because if it does turn left, it could be more of a threat to the islands," National Weather Service forecaster Bob Farrell said.
Forecasters said Jova should pass north of the state this weekend. What that means for our Island Weather is still up in the air.
"If it moves north of the islands, the air over the islands becomes warm and unstable and very humid, and that can cause thunderstorms during the daytime and that could cause flash flooding. So, that's the main threat we see at the moment, but again, you have to stay tuned because it may not take that track," Farrell said.
The reason Jova should make a turn to the north is an upper-level low weather system to the north of the state. Hurricanes are often attracted to low pressure. It is the same type of system that caused Hurricane Iniki to make its sudden right turn over the islands in 1992.
Forecasters are also watching hurricanes Kenneth and Max beyond Hurricane Jova.
http://images.ibsys.com/2005/0920/4994244_320X240.jpg
The Category 3 storm was about 750 miles east-southeast of Hilo Monday night, with winds of 115 mph and gusts up to 130 mph.
The latest forecast track calls for gradual weakening through the week as Jova moves over cooler water, safely to the north of the state.
Jova did jog slightly to the west of its forecast track Monday. KITV 4 Island Weather anchor Justin Fujioka checked in with the Central Pacific Hurricane Center to see if that meant that Jova could be changing its course.
"Often times, in tracking in one direction, it will do a loop or vary a little bit to the left and then back to the right. So right now, we're not changing the forecast on it, but we are watching it because if it does turn left, it could be more of a threat to the islands," National Weather Service forecaster Bob Farrell said.
Forecasters said Jova should pass north of the state this weekend. What that means for our Island Weather is still up in the air.
"If it moves north of the islands, the air over the islands becomes warm and unstable and very humid, and that can cause thunderstorms during the daytime and that could cause flash flooding. So, that's the main threat we see at the moment, but again, you have to stay tuned because it may not take that track," Farrell said.
The reason Jova should make a turn to the north is an upper-level low weather system to the north of the state. Hurricanes are often attracted to low pressure. It is the same type of system that caused Hurricane Iniki to make its sudden right turn over the islands in 1992.
Forecasters are also watching hurricanes Kenneth and Max beyond Hurricane Jova.
http://images.ibsys.com/2005/0920/4994244_320X240.jpg