Tropical storm Jimena 1,440 miles east of Hawai'i
| • | Latest National Weather Service information |
By James Gonser
Advertiser Staff Writer
The National Hurricane Center is keeping track of Tropical Storm Jimena, which was about 1,440 miles east of Hawai'i as of 4 p.m. yesterday, but local forecasters say it is nothing for residents to worry about at this time.
"It's definitely something we are watching very closely," said Tim Craig, lead forecaster at the Central Pacific Hurricane Center. "We'll get a better feel for it in another 24 to 48 hours. You just can't say it is going to hit Hawai'i. Too many things could happen and it is too far away."
A tropical storm is a weather system in which the maximum sustained surface wind ranges from 39 to 73 mph.
Jimena is not even in the Central Pacific Hurricane Center area of responsibility, which is north of the equator from 140 degrees west longitude to 180 degrees, but the depression is predicted to move south of the Big Island sometime Monday.
Jimena is east/southeast of Hilo, moving west/northwest at about 14 mph, according to Craig.
"At this point in time people should just be aware there is a system out there with the potential for development and that it may come close to us," he said.
Reach James Gonser at jgonser@honoluluadvertiser.com or 535-2431.
