471 
WTPA43 PHFO 220848
TCDCP3
 
Tropical Storm Moke Discussion Number   8
NWS Central Pacific Hurricane Center Honolulu HI   CP022026
Issued by NWS National Hurricane Center Miami FL
1100 PM HST Fri Aug 21 2026
 
Moderate southwesterly vertical wind shear continues to displace the
deepest convection north of the low-level circulation center, where
convection has expanded in coverage and cloud-top temperatures have
cooled to around -85 C over the past several hours. Despite the
recent increase in convection, data from an Air Force Reserve
Hurricane Hunter aircraft indicate little change in intensity, with
a central pressure of 999 mb and peak 850-mb flight-level winds of
50 kt in the northeastern quadrant. Based on these data, the initial
intensity is held at 40 kt for this advisory.
 
Moke is moving west-northwestward, or 300/7 kt. There has been
little change to the track forecast philosophy. A low- to mid-level
ridge is forecast to strengthen north of Moke during the next few
days, which should steer the cyclone west-northwestward at a
slightly faster forward speed. This motion is expected to take the
core of Moke south of the main Hawaiian Islands this weekend into
early next week. The latest track guidance remains fairly tightly
clustered, and the NHC forecast is similar to the previous advisory.
Given the expected track south of the islands and the compact nature
of the cyclone, the likelihood of tropical storm watches or warnings
for the main Hawaiian Islands remains very low. However, the
enhanced pressure gradient north of Moke, combined with moisture
associated with the cyclone interacting with the island terrain,
will likely produce gusty winds and periods of heavy rainfall across
portions of the state. These impacts could be aggravated by
antecedent conditions from Lala last weekend, particularly in areas
where soils remain saturated.
 
Some additional strengthening is possible during the next day or so
despite the moderate southwesterly vertical wind shear currently
affecting Moke. Thereafter, dry mid-level air is expected to become
increasingly entrained into the circulation while vertical wind
shear remains unfavorable late this weekend into early next week.
These factors should cause Moke to gradually weaken as it passes
south of the Hawaiian Islands. The latest NHC intensity forecast is
similar to the previous advisory and remains near the upper end of
the guidance envelope.
 
 
Key Messages:
 
1. Heavy rainfall associated with Moke will begin to impact the Big
Island of Hawaii late Saturday, with rain spreading westward across
the remainder of the Hawaiian Islands Sunday into Monday. This
rainfall may produce life-threatening flooding and mudslides for the
windward and southeast Big Island, especially in steep terrain and
over areas that were affected recently by Lala.
 
2. Although the strongest winds associated with Moke are expected to
pass south of the Hawaiian Islands, strong gusty winds are likely,
particularly in areas within and downslope of higher terrain.
 
3. Swells generated by the storm may cause life-threatening surf
and rip current conditions this weekend and early next week for
exposed east and south facing shores of the Hawaiian Islands.
 
 
FORECAST POSITIONS AND MAX WINDS
 
INIT  22/0900Z 14.4N 149.0W   40 KT  45 MPH
 12H  22/1800Z 15.0N 150.7W   45 KT  50 MPH
 24H  23/0600Z 15.4N 152.8W   50 KT  60 MPH
 36H  23/1800Z 15.8N 155.2W   45 KT  50 MPH
 48H  24/0600Z 16.4N 157.8W   40 KT  45 MPH
 60H  24/1800Z 16.8N 160.2W   40 KT  45 MPH
 72H  25/0600Z 17.2N 162.6W   35 KT  40 MPH
 96H  26/0600Z 18.2N 167.8W   35 KT  40 MPH
120H  27/0600Z 19.2N 172.3W   30 KT  35 MPH
 
$$
Forecaster Gibbs