Hurricane Ana Watch

My favorite Maui-based meteorologist Malika Dudley took a new job yesterday at the Maui Now and Big Island Now newspapers as their chief meteorologist. What does this mean to you? If I've been advising you to watch MAUIWatch on facebook, still do so for Maui news itself (it will be helpful as people on Maui post what is happening around them during and after the storm if we have power), but for weather forecasts, go to the MauiNow site or MauiNow facebook page. If you are watching Hawaii news online or on TV, please be aware that it is mostly Oahu-specific. Good to watch, yes, but for the Maui specifics, you will want to look at one of these Maui newscasts.

Regarding Hurricane Ana - it is still a tropical depression (slower winds) and not actually a hurricane. Forecasters are now saying it should become a hurricane by Friday. The current forecast is showing the track has shifted slightly to the south and a little away from Maui. No, don't let your guard down, this still means we'll get wind and rain, but perhaps not as intense as during a Category 1 hurricane. Keep in mind, this is all very much in flux and can (most likely will) change.

Central Pacific Hurricane Center's 5am forecast
Here is the official hurricane ranking system from the Central Pacific Hurricane Center:

Saffir-Simpson Scale