Tropical Storm “Erick” expected to become a hurricane on its way toward Hawaii
Tropical Storm "Erick" formed on July 27, 2019, as the 5th named storm of the 2019 Pacific hurricane season. Gradual strengthening is expected while moving quickly westward toward Hawaii. Hurricane strength is expected late Monday or Tuesday, July 30. While the current forecast track takes Erick south of Hawaii on August 2, the system is closely followed by another tropical system – Tropical Depression 7E. TD 7E is expected to become a hurricane on July 31 (Flossie) and possibly pass very close/make landfall over Hawaii on August 6/7.
As of 21:00 UTC on July 28, the center of Tropical Storm "Erick" was located about 2 680 km (1 655 miles) ESE of Hilo, Hawaii. Its maximum sustained winds were 75 km/h (45 mph) and gusts to 95 km/h (60 mph).
The system was moving W at 28 km/h (17 mph) with minimum central pressure of 1 004 hPa.
This general motion is expected to continue for the next few days with a slight decrease in forward speed.
Tropical Storm "Erick" and Tropical Depression 7E at 22:40 UTC on July 28, 2019. Credit: NOAA/GOES-West
Additional strengthening is forecast, and Erick is expected to become a hurricane by late Monday or early Tuesday (HST), July 30 and a high-end Category 3 hurricane in about 72 hours.
On the forecast track, Erick is expected to cross into the Central Pacific basin Tuesday morning and move south of Hawaii on Friday, August 2.
The system is closely followed by Tropical Depression 7E expected to reach tropical storm strength on Monday and hurricane on Wednesday, July 31.
While it's still too early to be sure, TD 7E currently appears to be a much more dangerous system than Erick as it might make landfall on August 6/7 or pass just north of Hawaii.
Featured image: Tropical Storm "Erick" and TD 7E at 22:40 UTC on July 28, 2019. Credit: NOAA/GOES-West
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The last update on the radio said Erick was 430 miles off shore moving at 125 miles an hour. Both will arrive very close to eachother.