WTPA31 PHFO 011456 TCPCP1 BULLETIN Hurricane Walaka Advisory Number 8 NWS Central Pacific Hurricane Center Honolulu HI CP012018 500 AM HST Mon Oct 01 2018 ...WALAKA CONTINUES TO RAPIDLY INTENSIFY FAR SOUTHWEST OF HAWAII... SUMMARY OF 500 AM HST...1500 UTC...INFORMATION ---------------------------------------------- LOCATION...12.3N 168.3W ABOUT 315 MI...505 KM SSE OF JOHNSTON ISLAND ABOUT 925 MI...1490 KM SW OF HONOLULU HAWAII MAXIMUM SUSTAINED WINDS...125 MPH...205 KM/H PRESENT MOVEMENT...WNW OR 295 DEGREES AT 10 MPH...17 KM/H MINIMUM CENTRAL PRESSURE...954 MB...28.17 INCHES WATCHES AND WARNINGS -------------------- CHANGES WITH THIS ADVISORY: None. SUMMARY OF WATCHES AND WARNINGS IN EFFECT: A Hurricane Warning is in effect for... * Johnston Atoll A Hurricane Warning means that hurricane conditions are expected in the warning area. A warning is typically issued 36 hours before the anticipated first occurrence of tropical-storm force winds, conditions that make outside preparations difficult or dangerous. Interests in the Papahanaumokuakea Marine National Monument should monitor the progress of Walaka. DISCUSSION AND OUTLOOK ---------------------- At 500 AM HST (1500 UTC), the center of Hurricane Walaka was located near latitude 12.3 North, longitude 168.3 West. Walaka is moving toward the west-northwest near 10 mph (17 km/h). A turn toward the northwest is expected to begin later today, followed by a turn toward the north late tonight through Tuesday night with a gradual increase in forward speed. Maximum sustained winds are near 125 mph (205 km/h) with higher gusts. Walaka is a category 3 hurricane on the Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Wind Scale. Rapid intensification is expected to continue today into tonight, with little change in intensity forecast Tuesday and Tuesday night. Hurricane-force winds extend outward up to 35 miles (55 km) from the center and tropical-storm-force winds extend outward up to 140 miles (220 km). The estimated minimum central pressure is 954 mb (28.17 inches). HAZARDS AFFECTING LAND ---------------------- WIND: Tropical Storm force winds are expected across Johnston Island starting late tonight or early Tuesday, with Hurricane conditions expected by Tuesday afternoon. SURF: Large surf will affect the Johnston Atoll reefs and shorelines starting later today. RAINFALL: Heavy rainfall associated with Walaka is expected to reach Johnston Atoll late today or tonight. NEXT ADVISORY ------------- Next intermediate advisory at 800 AM HST. Next complete advisory at 1100 AM HST. $$ Forecaster Jelsema