As Hurricane Henriette continues to strengthen in the Pacific, Gil has intensified back into a tropical storm. Both systems are expected to bring weather conditions to the Hawaiian Islands by the end of the week.
According to the most recent public advisory issued by the National Hurricane Center (NHC) at 8:00 a.m. PST, Henriette was located approximately 1,535 miles west-southwest of the southern tip of Baja California and 1.605 miles east of Hilo, Hawaii.
The center of the hurricane was most recently located at latitude 14.2 North and longitude 131.5 West. Henriette is moving toward the northwest at 10 mph. A path to the west-northwest and northwest is forecast over the next 24 to 48 hours.
Maximum sustained winds have increased to 80 mph with higher gusts being reported. Hurricane force winds are extending out up to 25 miles from the center of the storm, while tropical storm force winds are reaching out up to 80 miles. Some additional strengthening of the storm is expected over the next 24 hours but by Wednesday, Henriette is forecast to gradually begin weakening.
Meanwhile, as of 11:00 p.m. HST on Monday, Gil had intensified back into a tropical storm, according to the NHC.
According to the most recent public advisory on tropical storm Gil posted at 5:00 a.m. HST Tuesday, Gil is currently located approximately 985 miles east-southeast of Hilo, Hawaii and 1,195 miles east-southeast of Honolulu, Hawaii.
The center of the storm is located near latitude 13.2 North and longitude 141.9 West. Gil is moving in a westerly direction near 9 mph and this motion is expected to continue through Thursday.
Maximum sustained winds are blowing at 40 mph with higher gusts. Tropical storm force winds are extending outward up to 40 miles from the storm's center. Forecasts show that little change in the strength of the storm is expected over the next 48 hours.
AccuWeather.com reports that although Gil's path will take the storm well south of Hawaii, it could still generate high surf and some showers on south-facing beaches.
In addition, "[Henriette] is projected to reach near Hawaii by Sunday, perhaps enhancing showers and stirring strong surf," said AccuWeather meteorologist Courtney Spamer. "Even experienced surfers should be cautious as wave heights could increase and swells could come from directions that are not typical."