While the worst case scenario of two hurricanes scoring direct hits on Hawaii in the same week -- a meteorological feat that would be unprecedented in modern hurricane records -- is no longer looking likely to occur, Hawaii is still paying close attention to Hurricane Julio.
On Thursday night, Julio became the fifth major hurricane to form in the eastern Pacific Ocean this year -- which is well above average for an entire season, much less the season to date -- when it reached its peak strength with maximum sustained winds of 120 miles per hour. It has since begun to weaken, and most forecast models now project that it will spare Hawaii from an unheard of second storm strike in one week by veering to the north, rather than following in the choppy wake of Iselle.
Based on forecasts issued on Friday, the storm will still affect the islands with high waves, gusty winds, and some rainfall as it skirts about 100 to 200 miles to the north on Sunday night into Monday morning, local time. The National Hurricane Center is instructing Hawaiians to stay tuned to updates, despite the optimistic forecast so far, saying:
WHILE THE FORECAST TRACK TAKES JULIO NORTH OF AND PARALLEL TO THE MAIN HAWAIIAN ISLANDS...INTERESTS THERE SHOULD WATCH DEVELOPMENTS WITH THIS SYSTEM CLOSELY.
The National Weather Service forecast office in Honolulu said Friday that the storm may yet bring tropical storm conditions to part of the state.
"Another round of tropical storm conditions is possible over the weekend into early next week as hurricane Julio approaches the state from the southeast," forecasters said.