Tropical Storm Ana 2014 - The new tropical storm named Ana is currently getting stronger and stronger with maximum sustained winds at 70 mph or 110 km/h and it is expected to hit the main Hawaiian islands on Wednesday, KHON2 first reported.
The strengthening storm is at 710 miles ESE of Hilo as of the moment and it is moving W or 275 degrees at 9 mph or 15 km/h.
The Central Pacific Hurricane Center says the movement of Tropical Storm Ana 2014 is expected to continue until Wednesday before it takes a gradual turn toward the west northwest.
Its winds are extending outward up to 70 miles, 110 km from the center and its estimated minimum central pressure is 994 mb, 29.36 inches.
While there are no coastal watches or warnings issued as of yet, a hurricane watch is expected to happen on Wednesday when Tropical Storm Ana 2014 strikes the main islands of Hawaii.
Tropical Storm Ana started to form in the central Pacific Ocean on Monday, and it is considered as the first storm to develop in the said area this 2014, according to Washington Post.
If Ana does make landfall in Hawaii, it will be the third recorded hurricane to do so on any Hawaiian island and the first to hit the Big Island.
At the same time, it will also be considered as the second tropical cyclone to hit the Big Island. The first was Tropical Storm Iselle back in August.
It can be noted that Iselle was downgraded to tropical storm status before it even made a landfall on the Big Island. Despite this, thousands of people were left without electricity for weeks because of Iselle, with the president of Hawai'i Electric Light saying that "the extent of damage is worse than anything we've ever seen here."
Iselle was also blamed for one death and serious damage to several homes, businesses and the state's papaya crop, AL.com has learned.
Meanwhile, Tropical Storm Ana 2014 is expected to reach its peak intensity by Thursday and Friday, with a gradual weakening foreseen to happen over the weekend.
This article is copyrighted by Travelers Today, the travel news leader
