Report: Hawaii Keeps Close Eye on Tropical Storm Ignacio

Ignacio could become a hurricane in Hawaii. // Photo courtesy of AccuWeather.com.

AccuWeather.com reports the tropics have been quite active around Hawaii as of late, and the pattern is not expected to change anytime soon with Tropical Storm Ignacio churning in the eastern Pacific.

Tropical Storm Ignacio has been strengthening since forming Tuesday afternoon and is becoming better organized, stated AccuWeather Meteorologist Dave Samuhel. The combination of low wind shear and warm waters should allow Ignacio to become a hurricane by Thursday, according to the report.

"Ignacio is currently more than 1,400 miles from Hawaii and is moving rather slowly, so it will not be a threat to Hawaii for some time," Samuhel said. 

The main danger Ignacio poses in the near-term is rough seas for those with shipping interests.

"Regardless [of its distance], Hawaii residents should keep an eye on Ignacio through the weekend," added Samuhel.

"The initial thinking is that Ignacio will pass just east of the Big Island Monday night, local time," stated AccuWeather Hurricane Expert Dan Kottlowski. "The large area of high pressure to the north could help guide it close to the other islands Tuesday and Wednesday of next week, but it will be weakening by that time due to passing over slightly cooler waters."

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