Hurricane Nolo Advisory Number 20

Public advisory

Central Pacific Hurricane Center · issued Sep 25, 2:52 PM UTC · source


000
WTPA32 PHFO 251452
TCPCP2
 
BULLETIN
Hurricane Nolo Advisory Number  20
NWS Central Pacific Hurricane Center Honolulu HI   EP152026
Issued by NWS National Hurricane Center Miami FL
500 AM HST Fri Sep 25 2026

...NOLO CONTINUES MOVING NORTH-NORTHEASTWARD...
...CATASTROPHIC AND LIFE-THREATENING FLASH FLOODING POSSIBLE ON THE
BIG ISLAND OF HAWAII INTO THE WEEKEND...
 
 
SUMMARY OF 500 AM HST...1500 UTC...INFORMATION
----------------------------------------------
LOCATION...16.0N 155.5W
ABOUT 210 MI...335 KM S OF SOUTH POINT HAWAII
ABOUT 400 MI...640 KM SSE OF HONOLULU HAWAII
MAXIMUM SUSTAINED WINDS...85 MPH...140 KM/H
PRESENT MOVEMENT...NNE OR 25 DEGREES AT 5 MPH...7 KM/H
MINIMUM CENTRAL PRESSURE...980 MB...28.94 INCHES
 
 
WATCHES AND WARNINGS
--------------------
CHANGES WITH THIS ADVISORY:
 
None.
 
SUMMARY OF WATCHES AND WARNINGS IN EFFECT:
 
A Hurricane Watch is in effect for...
* Hawaii County
 
A Tropical Storm Warning is in effect for...
* Hawaii County
 
A Tropical Storm Watch is in effect for...
* Maui County
 
A Hurricane Watch means that hurricane conditions are possible
within the watch area, in this case within 24-36 hours.
 
A Tropical Storm Warning means that tropical storm conditions are
expected somewhere within the warning area within 24-36 hours.
 
A Tropical Storm Watch means that tropical storm conditions are
possible within the watch area, in this case within 36-48 hours.
 
Interests elsewhere in the Hawaiian Islands should closely monitor
the progress of this system.
 
For storm information specific to your area, including possible
inland watches and warnings, please monitor products issued by your
local National Weather Service forecast office.
 
 
DISCUSSION AND OUTLOOK
----------------------
At 500 AM HST (1500 UTC), the eye of Hurricane Nolo was located
near latitude 16.0 North, longitude 155.5 West. Nolo is moving
toward the north-northeast near 5 mph (7 km/h), and this general 
motion with a decrease in forward speed is expected through 
tonight. A turn toward the west-northwest and west with an increase 
in forward speed is forecast Saturday and Sunday. On the forecast 
track, the center of Nolo will remain well south of the main 
Hawaiian Islands.
 
Maximum sustained winds remain near 85 mph (140 km/h) with higher
gusts. Additional strengthening is forecast, and Nolo is expected 
to become a major hurricane this weekend.
 
Hurricane-force winds extend outward up to 45 miles (75 km) from the
center and tropical-storm-force winds extend outward up to 115 miles
(185 km).
 
The estimated minimum central pressure is 980 mb (28.94 inches).
 
 
HAZARDS AFFECTING LAND
----------------------
Key messages for Nolo can be found in the Tropical Cyclone
Discussion under AWIPS header HFOTCDCP2 and WMO header WTPA42 PHFO.
 
WIND: Tropical storm conditions are expected to begin by tonight in
the warning area, with hurricane conditions possible by early
Saturday, particularly in areas of steep terrain.
 
Tropical storm conditions are possible in the tropical storm watch
area beginning on Saturday.
 
RAINFALL: For the eastern and southern portions of the Big Island, 
Nolo will produce rainfall totals of 10 to 15 inches with maximum 
amounts of 25 inches.  This rainfall could produce catastrophic 
life-threatening flooding and mudslides, especially in areas of 
steep terrain.

For the western portions of the Big Island, rainfall totals of 2 to 
4 inches with maximum amounts of 8 inches are expected. For Maui, 
rainfall totals of 4 to 6 inches with maximum amounts of 10 inches 
are expected. Life-threatening flooding and mudslides are possible, 
especially in areas of high terrain. 

Across the remainder of the Hawaiian Islands, rainfall totals of 1 
to 3 inches with isolated maximum amounts of 6 inches are expected 
with isolated flooding possible.

For a complete depiction of forecast rainfall associated with 
Hurricane Nolo, please see the National Weather Service Storm Total 
Rainfall Graphic available at 
hurricanes.gov/graphics_cp2.shtml?rainqpf
 
STORM SURGE: The combination of a dangerous storm surge and the tide
will cause normally dry areas near the coast to be flooded by rising
waters moving inland from the shoreline. The water could reach the
following heights above ground somewhere in the indicated areas if
the peak surge occurs at the time of high tide...
 
Hawaii County...1 to 3 ft
 
The deepest water will occur along the immediate coast and will be
accompanied by large and dangerous waves. Surge-related flooding
depends on the relative timing of the surge and the tidal cycle,
and can vary greatly over short distances. For information
specific to your area, please see products issued by your local
National Weather Service forecast office.
 
For a complete depiction of areas at risk of storm surge inundation,
please see the National Weather Service Peak Storm Surge Graphic,
available at hurricanes.gov/graphics_cp2.shtml?peakSurge.
 
SURF: Swells generated by Nolo are expected to reach exposed east-
and south-facing shores of the Big Island today, spreading westward
and building through the weekend. These swells are likely to cause
life-threatening surf and rip current conditions. Please consult
products from your local weather office.
 
 
NEXT ADVISORY
-------------
Next intermediate advisory at 800 AM HST.
Next complete advisory at 1100 AM HST.
 
$$
Forecaster Blake
 

Forecast discussion

Central Pacific Hurricane Center · issued Sep 25, 2:53 PM UTC · source


000
WTPA42 PHFO 251453
TCDCP2
 
Hurricane Nolo Discussion Number  20
NWS Central Pacific Hurricane Center Honolulu HI   EP152026
Issued by NWS National Hurricane Center Miami FL
500 AM HST Fri Sep 25 2026

Nolo continues on a gradual strengthening trend this morning.  On 
the last pass through the hurricane, Air Force Hurricane Hunters 
reported that the pressure had dropped to about 980 mb, and  
satellite imagery shows deepening convection in the ragged eyewall. 
On this basis, the initial intensity is set to 75 kt, which is also 
at the top end of the various satellite estimates.

The hurricane is moving north-northeastward at 4 kt, as it is being 
steered by a deep-layer trough located west of the Hawaiian Islands. 
This trough should begin to move away from Nolo on Saturday, 
causing the hurricane to drift westward while it is located south of 
Hawaii.  A westward motion with increasing forward speed is then 
expected by early Sunday due to a ridge re-building.  Model 
guidance has, unfortunately, not been very consistent on exactly 
when this westward turn occurs, as there has been a shift to the 
north on this cycle.  This new forecast is moved in that direction 
through the weekend, though still a fair distance south of Hawaii.  
At long range, Nolo should again encounter the aforementioned 
upper-level trough, now re-invigorated, which should cause a 
north-northwestward turn early next week.  No significant changes 
were made to the long-range NHC forecast. 

Nolo should further intensify today, though rapid intensification is 
not expected due to its large radius-of-maximum wind, moderate 
shear and some dry mid-level air in the northern semicircle.  The 
shear is forecast to weaken in about 36 hours, which should allow 
the hurricane to significantly intensify.  Additionally, Nolo could 
be moving over a patch of high ocean heat content, and model 
guidance is in better agreement on this system becoming rather 
strong by early next week.  The new forecast is similar to the 
previous one but raised just a bit through day 3 to come into 
better agreement with the typically skillful HCCA model. Weakening 
is expected by days 4 and 5 due to forecast strong southwesterly 
shear east of the trough.
 
 
Key Messages:
 
1. Nolo is expected to remain south of the Big Island of Hawaii 
through Saturday before turning westward and moving away from the 
island. Tropical storm conditions are expected to begin on the Big 
Island tonight with hurricane conditions possible on Saturday, 
particularly in areas of steep terrain. Residents should follow 
advice given by local officials, including evacuating if told to do 
so.
 
2. The time to finish preparations for significant heavy rain and 
flooding impacts on the Big Island is now as heavy rain increases in 
both coverage and intensity today. Periods of heavy rain are 
expected to continue across the Big Island and Maui through the 
weekend. Life-threatening, catastrophic flooding and mudslides are 
possible, especially in areas of steep terrain across the eastern 
and southern portions of the Big Island and Maui. Across the 
remainder of Hawaii, lesser rainfall totals are expected, with 
isolated flooding possible. 
 
3. Large and damaging waves are likely along portions of the
Big Island's coastline into the weekend.
 
4. A Tropical Storm Watch is in effect for Maui County where
tropical storm conditions are possible beginning on Saturday.
Interests elsewhere in Hawaii should closely monitor the latest
forecast updates and ensure that they have their preparedness plans
in place.
 
 
FORECAST POSITIONS AND MAX WINDS
 
INIT  25/1500Z 16.0N 155.5W   75 KT  85 MPH
 12H  26/0000Z 16.7N 155.3W   90 KT 105 MPH
 24H  26/1200Z 17.1N 155.5W   95 KT 110 MPH
 36H  27/0000Z 17.1N 156.3W  100 KT 115 MPH
 48H  27/1200Z 16.9N 157.8W  110 KT 125 MPH
 60H  28/0000Z 16.9N 159.8W  120 KT 140 MPH
 72H  28/1200Z 17.4N 161.6W  120 KT 140 MPH
 96H  29/1200Z 20.2N 164.3W  100 KT 115 MPH
120H  30/1200Z 22.7N 164.8W   70 KT  80 MPH
 
$$
Forecaster Blake