Hurricane Lane gathered significant power Friday as it continued its westward advance toward the Central Pacific and the Hawaiian islands.</s>Hurricane Lane intensifies to a Category 4 storm in the Pacific

Hurricane Lane grew to a Category 4 storm on Saturday as it moved closer to the Central Pacific basin, the National Hurricane Center said. As of 2 p.m. ET on Saturday, Lane was located 1,135 miles east-southeast of Hilo, Hawaii.

The maximum sustained winds are 140 mph and hurricane-force winds can be felt 25 miles from the center of the storm, the National Hurricane Center said. Lane is moving west-northwest at about 15 mph, and it is expected to lose power as it continues west-northwest over the next few days.

The current forecast track has it passing south of Hawaii’s Big Island, CBS Honolulu affiliate KGMB reports.

There have already been strong storms in the Pacific Ocean in 2018, and the Pacific Ocean off San Diego hit a record high this month, CBS News’ Jamie Yuccas reports. While hurricanes are virtually unheard of in California, there’s now the potential this rare event could strike the San Diego area again.

“It could happen, especially if the ocean temperatures continue to stay in this anomalously warm state,” said Art Miller, an oceanographer.

Scientists at the Scripps Pier have been recording historic temperatures in the Pacific Ocean as high as 79.5 degrees. That’s about 10 degrees above normal.</s>Hurricane Lane grew to a Category 4 storm on Saturday as it moved closer to the Central Pacific basin, the National Hurricane Center said. As of 2 p.m. ET on Saturday, Lane was located 1,135 miles east-southeast of Hilo, Hawaii.

The maximum sustained winds are 140 mph and hurricane-force winds can be felt 25 miles from the center of the storm, the National Hurricane Center said. Lane is moving west-northwest at about 15 mph, and it is expected to lose power as it continues west-northwest over the next few days.

The current forecast track has it passing south of Hawaii's Big Island, CBS Honolulu affilite KGMB reports.

There have already been strong storms in the Pacific Ocean in 2018, and the Pacific Ocean off San Diego hit a record high this month, CBS News' Jamie Yuccas reports. While hurricanes are virtually unheard of in California, there's now the potential this rare event could strike the San Diego area again.

"It could happen, especially if the ocean temperatures continue to stay in this anomalously warm state," said Art Miller, an oceanographer.

Scientists at the Scripps Pier have been recording historic temperatures in the Pacific Ocean as high as 79.5 degrees. That's about 10 degrees above normal.</s>At 11 a.m. HST (2100 UTC), the center of Hurricane Lane was located near latitude 12.5 North, longitude 139.7 West. Lane is moving toward the west-northwest near 15 mph (24 km/h), and a motion between west and west-northwest with some decrease in forward speed is expected over the next few days. Lane will cross into the central Pacific basin within the next couple of hours.

Maximum sustained winds are near 140 mph (220 km/h) with higher gusts. Lane is a category 4 hurricane on the Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Wind Scale. Little change in strength is expected through tonight. Gradual weakening is forecast to begin on Sunday, however, Lane is forecast to remain a major hurricane during the next couple of days.

Hurricane-force winds extend outward up to 25 miles (35 km) from the center and tropical-storm-force winds extend outward up to 105 miles (165 km).

Lane remains an impressive hurricane in geostationary satellite imagery. The distinct 15 nmi-wide eye is surrounded by a ring of convection with clouds tops around -65 to -70C. The clouds tops have warmed slightly but the subjective and objective Dvorak Current Intensity (CI) numbers are unchanged so the initial intensity is maintained at 120 kt for this advisory.

The hurricane continues moving west-northwestward at about 13 kt. A large subtropical ridge to the north of Lane should keep the hurricane on a west-northwestward to westward heading during the next 24 hours. After that time, the ridge is forecast to build westward which is expected to take Lane on a more westward course between 36 and 72 hours. By day 4, Lane will be approaching the western portion of the ridge which should result in a turn back toward the west-northwest. The latest iterations of the UKMET and GFS models have shifted southward but remain along the northern side of the guidance envelope. Meanwhile, the ECMWF remains along the southern side of the guidance and also depicts a much faster forward speed. The updated NHC track forecast has been adjusted slightly southward to be near the latest consensus aids.

The intensity forecast reasoning is unchanged from the previous advisory. Lane will be moving over sea surface temperatures of 27-28 degrees Celsius throughout the forecast period, but some west to northwesterly vertical shear is expected to affect the hurricane. As a result, gradually weakening is indicated in the official forecast over the next few days. A more significant increase in shear late in the forecast period could result in a faster rate of weakening at days 4 and 5. The NHC intensity forecast is near the upper end of the guidance during the first 24 to 48 hours and then is closest to the HFIP corrected consensus later in the period.

HONOLULU — HI-EMA recommends residents and visitors take the following actions to prepare for any possible hurricane or tropical cyclone:
• Prepare an “emergency kit” of a minimum of 14 days of food, water, and other supplies.
• Talk with family members and develop a clear understanding of what you will do if a hurricane or tropical storm threatens. Prepare an action plan that includes details such as whether your family plans to shelter in place or evacuate.
• Know if your home is in an inundation zone, flood zone, or susceptible to high winds and other hazards. Know if your home is retrofitted with hurricane resistant clips or straps.
• Stay tuned to local media and their websites/applications regarding weather updates.
• Get to know your neighbors and community so you can help each other.
• Walk your property and check for potential flood threats. Clear your gutters and other drainage systems. Remove and secure loose items. Keep your car gas tanks filled.
• Prepare your pets by checking or purchasing a carrier and other preparedness items. A pet carrier is necessary for your pet’s safety if you plan to evacuate to a pet-friendly shelter. Don’t forget 14 days of food and water for your furry family members.
• Set aside an emergency supply of any needed medication and keep a copy of your prescriptions in case you run out of medication after a disaster.
• Visitors should download GoHawaii App and read the Hawaii Tourism Authority’s Travel Safety Brochure at www.travelsmarthawaii.com.</s>Hurricane Lane entered the Central Pacific on Saturday as a powerful Category 4 major hurricane.

As rated on the Saffir-­Simpson Hurricane Wind Scale, a Category 4 hurricane carries maximum sustained winds between 130 and 156 miles per hour.

As of 5 p.m. Saturday, the storm was located 1,045 miles east-southeast of Hilo, moving west at 16 miles per hour, according to the National Weather Serv­ice. Maximum sustained winds were measured at 130 mph, with hurricane-­force winds extending outward up to 25 miles and tropical-storm-force winds extending up to 105 miles.

Forecasters at the Central Pacific Hurricane Center in Honolulu predicted that after several days of rapid intensification, Lane likely will weaken over the next few days as it begins to move west-northwest.

Lane is the sixth major storm of the 2018 Pacific hurricane season, which runs through November.

The National Weather Serv­ice said it is still too early to determine Lane’s potential impact on local weather.

In the meantime, a low-level trough was expected to bring unstable air, showers and isolated thunderstorm activity today. Drier conditions will return Monday and Tuesday as more stable air moves in from the east, the weather service reported.</s>UPDATE: 12:05 a.m. Sunday

Hurricane Lane, a powerful Category 3 storm, is moving west in the Central Pacific on a path that will take it south of the Hawaiian islands later this week.

Lane is packing maximum sustained winds of 125 mph with higher gusts and was about 1,180 miles east-southeast of Hilo moving west at 16 mph as of late Saturday night. Hurricane-force winds extend outward up to 25 miles from Lane’s center and tropical-storm-force winds of 39 mph or more extend up to 105 miles, according to the Central Pacific Hurricane Center in Hawaii.

The storm is forecast to follow a similar path as Hurricane Hector which passed safely south of Hawaii earlier this month.

The five-day forecast for Lane calls for it to weaken to tropical-storm strength south of the islands by midweek.

“Lane is forecast to pass south of the main Hawaiian islands Wednesday and Thursday, potentially causing local impacts as it tracks west-northwestward,” forecasters said at 11 p.m. Saturday. “Interests in those islands should watch the progress of Lane closely, since long-range forecast track and intensity errors can be large.”

PREVIOUS COVERAGE

5 p.m. Saturday

Hurricane Lane moved into the Central Pacific this afternoon as a category 4 hurricane.

Lane is located 1,050 miles east-southeast of Hilo and 1,260 miles east-southeast of Honolulu. It has maximum sustained winds at 130 mph and is moving toward the west at 16 mph. Hurricane-force winds extend outward up to 25 miles from the center.

A motion between west and west-northwest with some decrease in forward speed is expected over the next few days.

11 a.m.

Hurricane Lane is expected to cross into the Central Pacific basin in the next few hours.

The category 4 hurricane is located 1,135 miles east-southeast of Hilo with winds at 140 mph. Lane is moving toward the west-northwest near 15 mph. A motion between west and west-northwest with some decrease in forward speed is expected over the next few days.

6:19 a.m.

Hurricane Lane continued to strengthen this morning, now packing maximum sustained winds of up to 140 mph with higher gusts.

As of 5 a.m. Hawaii time, Lane was located 1,230 miles east of Hilo and forecasted to reach the Central Pacific basin later today. Forecasters are predicting little change to Lane’s strength today and a gradual weakening beginning Sunday, according to the National Hurricane Center.

Hurricane-force winds extend outward up to 25 miles from the eye of the hurricane and tropical-storm-force winds extend outward up to 105 miles.

Check back this afternoon for another update.

FRIDAY, AUG. 17

11 p.m.

Hurricane Lane has strengthened into a Category 4 hurricane as it continues to head toward the Central Pacific, the National Weather Service said in its latest report.

Lane was last located 1,310 miles east-southeast of Hilo and moving toward the west-northwest near 16 mph. It is expected to move either west or west-northwest with a small decrease in forward speed.

Maximum sustained winds have increased to near 130 mph with higher gusts. It’s possible winds may strengthen even more this weekend, but a gradual weakening is forecast after.

Hurricane-force winds extend outward up to 25 miles from the center and tropical-storm-force winds extend outward up to 105 miles.

5:15 p.m.

The eye of Hurricane Lane has become better defined as the storm tracks westward at 16 mph, the National Weather Service said.

The eye is about 1,405 miles east-southeast of Hilo with 120 mph sustained winds and higher gusts.

The Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Wind Scale for Hawaii is a 1 to 5 categorization based on the hurricane’s intensity. >> Tropical Storm: winds 39-73 mph >> Category 1: winds 74-95 mph >> Category 2: winds 96-110 mph >> Category 3: winds 111-129 mph >> Category 4: winds 130-156 mph >> Category 5: winds 157 mph and up

The storm was expected to strengthen over the next 12 hours, becoming a category 4 hurricane tonight or Saturday. Beyond that, the intensity of the storm is expected to fluctuate over the weekend.

Currently, hurricane-force winds are extending 25 miles outward with tropical storm-force winds reaching up to 105 miles from the center.

Forecasters predict Hurricane Lane will cross into the central Pacific basin on Saturday with its probable path showing the storm passing to the south of the islands.

1:10 p.m.

As Hurricane Lane is forecasted to possibly strengthen into a Category 4 hurricane on Saturday, it’s uncertain whether it will have any direct impacts to the main Hawaiian Islands when it crosses into the Central Pacific, according to the National Weather Service.

It is too soon to say, said forecaster Derek Wroe adding they will have a better handle on any possible impacts later in the weekend.

The public is reminded to have a hurricane plan in place and emergency supply kit readily on hand. “We’re in the peak of the hurricane season now,” he added.

11 a.m.

Hurricane Lane continues to rapidly grow stronger and remains on track to become a major hurricane tonight.

Packing maximum sustained winds of 110 mph, Lane was located about 1,505 miles east-southeast of Hilo at 11 a.m. and was heading west at 16 mph, according to the National Hurricane Center.

Weather officials expect Lane to keep getting stronger over the next 24 hours, possibly becoming a Category 4 hurricane on Saturday.

Lane is expected to track between a west and west-northwest trajectory and cross into the Central Pacific on Saturday.

Hurricane-force winds extend outward up to 25 miles from Lane’s center and tropical-storm-force winds extend outward up to 105 miles.

PREVIOUS COVERAGE

Lane got significantly stronger overnight, strengthening into a Category 2 hurricane.

Now packing maximum sustained winds of 100 mph, Hurricane Lane was located 1,590 miles east-southeast of Hilo at 5 a.m. today and was moving west at 16 mph, according to the National Hurricane Center.

Weather officials expect Lane to become a major hurricane tonight and to move west or west-northwest over the next few days.

The Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Wind Scale for Hawaii is a 1 to 5 categorization based on the hurricane’s intensity. The scale provides examples of the type of impacts associated with wind intensity.

>> Tropical Storm: winds 39-73 mph (34-63 kt)

>> Category 1: winds 74-95 mph (64-82 kt)

>> Category 2: winds 96-110 mph (83-95 kt)

>> Category 3: winds 111-129 mph (96-112 kt)

>> Category 4: winds 130-156 mph (113-136 kt)

>> Category 5: winds 157 mph and up (137+ kt)

Hurricane-force winds extend outward up to 15 miles from Lane’s center and tropical-storm-force winds extend outward up to 90 miles.</s>GPM passed above Lane in the Eastern Pacific Ocean on Aug. 17, 2018, at 1:26 a.m. EDT (0526 UTC). Lane was intensifying and data collected by GPM's Microwave Imager (GMI) and Dual-Frequency Precipitation Radar (DPR) instruments revealed the location of its forming eye wall. Very heavy precipitation was shown by DPR in the forming eye wall. Intense rainfall was also found falling at a rate of over 128 mm (5 inches) per hour in convective storms wrapping around the southern side of the intensifying tropical cyclone. GPM is a joint mission between NASA and the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency, JAXA.

At NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center in Greenbelt, Maryland, GPM satellites radar (DPR Ku Band) data were used to create a close-up view of the 3-D structure of precipitation in Lane's forming eye wall. Powerful convective storms on Lane's southern side are also shown stretching to heights above 12.5 km (7.75 miles).

At Goddard, a simulated 3-D flyby around intensifying hurricane Lane was also created. That animation was derived from GPM's radar data (DPR Ku Band). It showed the location of the forming eye wall and the towering convective storms in the feeder band on the southern side of the tropical cyclone.

At 11 a.m. EDT (1500 UTC), the center of Hurricane Lane was located near 11.2 degrees north latitude and 132.9 degrees west longitude. Lane was moving toward the west near 16 mph (26 km/h). A motion between west and west-northwest is expected during the next few days, and

Lane is forecast to cross into the Central Pacific basin on Saturday.

Maximum sustained winds have increased to near 100 mph (155 kph) with higher gusts. Continued rapid strengthening is expected for the next 24 hours.

Hurricane Lane is predicted by the National Hurricane Center (NHC) to continue intensifying during the next few days as it moves into the Central Pacific Ocean. Lane, like hurricane Hector, is predicted to pass to the south of the Hawaiian Islands. Lane is forecast to become a major hurricane within the next couple of days.</s>At 11 a.m. (2100 UTC), the eye of Hurricane Lane was located near latitude 11.5 North, longitude 134.1 West. Lane is moving toward the west near 16 mph (26 km/h). A motion between west and west-northwest is expected during the entire forecast period, and Lane is forecast to cross into the central Pacific basin on Saturday.

Maximum sustained winds have increased to near 110 mph (175 km/h) with higher gusts. Continued rapid intensification is expected for the next 24 hours, and Lane is forecast to become a major hurricane by tonight and could become a category 4 hurricane on Saturday.

Hurricane-force winds extend outward up to 25 miles (35 km) from the center and tropical-storm-force winds extend outward up to 105 miles (165 km).

The intensity forecast philosophy has not changed from 5 a.m., and Lane is still predicted to quickly strengthen to major hurricane intensity later tonight and has the potential to become a category 4 hurricane in 24 hours. The environment certainly appears favorable enough for this 24-hour trend to occur and the hurricane regional and statistical intensity guidance reflects strengthening, but the NHC forecast is much higher than the NOAA HCAA and the IVCN consensus models during the first 24 hours. Beyond 36 hours, Lane should begin to gradually weaken in response to increasing westerly shear. The NHC forecast is similar to the previous advisory and is a blend of HCCA and IVCN at these times.

HONOLULU — HI-EMA recommends residents and visitors take the following actions to prepare for any possible hurricane or tropical cyclone:
• Prepare an “emergency kit” of a minimum of 14 days of food, water, and other supplies.
• Talk with family members and develop a clear understanding of what you will do if a hurricane or tropical storm threatens. Prepare an action plan that includes details such as whether your family plans to shelter in place or evacuate.
• Know if your home is in an inundation zone, flood zone, or susceptible to high winds and other hazards. Know if your home is retrofitted with hurricane resistant clips or straps.
• Stay tuned to local media and their websites/applications regarding weather updates.
• Get to know your neighbors and community so you can help each other.
• Walk your property and check for potential flood threats. Clear your gutters and other drainage systems. Remove and secure loose items. Keep your car gas tanks filled.
• Prepare your pets by checking or purchasing a carrier and other preparedness items. A pet carrier is necessary for your pet’s safety if you plan to evacuate to a pet-friendly shelter. Don’t forget 14 days of food and water for your furry family members.
• Set aside an emergency supply of any needed medication and keep a copy of your prescriptions in case you run out of medication after a disaster.
• Visitors should download GoHawaii App and read the Hawaii Tourism Authority’s Travel Safety Brochure at www.travelsmarthawaii.com.</s>Hurricane Lane is barreling west across the Pacific Ocean on a course that will bring it close to Hawaii next week. With winds of 100 mph, Lane is now a Category 2 hurricane on a scale of one to five. It is now expected to reach Category 4, with maximum sustained winds of 130 mph this weekend.

“Lane’s cloud pattern has improved significantly this morning, and the cyclone is currently undergoing rapid intensification,” the National Hurricane Center writes in its latest update.

Rapid intensification is defined as an increase in wind speeds of at least 35 mph over the course of 24 hours. With the increase in wind speed also comes a decrease in central pressure. Rapid intensification has been a frequent occurrence in all tropical cyclone basins of late, and was seen on numerous occasions during the 2017 Atlantic hurricane season.

“Lane appears poised for further rapid strengthening during the next 24 hours,” the Hurricane Center added. “Impressive outflow in all quadrants, warm [sea surface temperatures], and the absence of earlier noted dry air intrusion all point to this scenario.”

During its closest pass to Hawaii, the Hurricane Center now brings the center of Lane within 250 miles of the southern shore of the Big Island. However, within the storm’s cone of uncertainty (below), the storm’s northern edge is only about 65 miles offshore.

The Hurricane Center says there is up to a 10 percent chance hurricane-force winds buffet the south shores of the Big Island.

With Lane still several days away, National Weather Service forecast office in Honolulu concludes, “It is too soon to know if Lane will directly affect the Hawaiian Islands.”

Direct impacts like wind and rain are only one aspect of an extreme storm like Lane. Large waves are increasingly likely to batter parts of Hawaii as it passes. The Big Island is set to face the brunt, with swells approaching or surpassing 15 feet possible on its southern and eastern facing shoreline.

The increased swell aspect is a long-duration event, with high wave heights expected from at least Monday through Thursday.

Lane comes on the heels of Hurricane Hector, which nearly reached Category 5 strength in its run by Hawaii earlier this month. That was part of a 4,200-mile journey across the Pacific. Although Lane is south of where Hector was at this point in its life, Lane may end up taking a similar path.

As Capital Weather Gang’s tropical weather expert Brian McNoldy pointed out, Hector was a rare tropical cyclone to be named in all three basins of the Pacific. It’s not impossible Lane could try to follow those footsteps.

Although both Hector and Lane may be somewhat odd on their own, in many hurricane seasons we see similar weather patterns dominate for much of the summer and fall. The extreme 2017 Atlantic hurricane season was a recent example. While any of the mega hurricanes and their tracks may have been peculiar, the unrelenting pattern conducive to the parade of storms remained in place for weeks.

Hurricane Lane is part of tropical cyclones that have tracked closer to Hawaii than common in the recent past. Increases in the availability of warm water and favorable atmospheric conditions are attributes of climate change which may be facilitating the increased frequency of close passes there.

Although Hawaii has been lucky to escape a direct hit from any of these major hurricanes in recent years, it is already seeing higher tides and increased flooding during these events, and it is something we could see from Lane even if it stays well offshore.</s>Lane got significantly stronger overnight and is now a Category 2 hurricane.

Lane got significantly stronger overnight and is now a Category 2 hurricane.

Now packing maximum sustained winds of 100 mph, Hurricane Lane was located 1,590 miles east-southeast of Hilo at 5 a.m. today and was moving west at 16 mph, according to the National Hurricane Center.

Weather officials expect Lane to become a major hurricane tonight and to move west or west-northwest over the next few days.

The Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Wind Scale for Hawaii is a 1 to 5 categorization based on the hurricane’s intensity. The scale provides examples of the type of impacts associated with wind intensity.

Hurricane-force winds extend outward up to 15 miles from Lane’s center and tropical-storm-force winds extend outward up to 90 miles.
Hurricane Lane enters the central Pacific as a category 4 hurricane.