October 23, 2014 - Hurricane Ana (02C) over Hawaii

Hurricane Ana (02C) over Hawaii

Hurricane Ana passed south of Hawaii in late October, 2014, bringing rain, wind and pounding surf to the islands. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA)’s Central Pacific Hurricane Center (CPHC) released preliminary rainfall totals for the storm. The Big Island was drenched – Keaumo reported 11.67 inches (29.6 cm) and 8.61 inches (21.9 cm) fell at Kulani National Wildlife Refuge starting October 17. The highest rainfall total in Oahu was at Manoa Lyon Arbo, which saw 11.05 in (28 cm).

The storm formed as Depression Two-C on October 13, and became a Tropical Storm soon afterwards. As it neared Hawaii, Ana strengthened to a Category 1 hurricane and maintained that status as it skirted the Hawaiian Islands. Early on October 20, wind shear had slowed the storm and Ana was downgrade to a tropical storm.

At 2:00 p.m. HAS (0000 UTC) on October 22, the CPHC reported that Tropical Storm Ana was located at about 24.2 North longitude and 167.7 West latitude, or about 90 mi (145 km) west of French Frigate Shoals. Maximum sustained winds were 40 mph (65 km/h) and the system was moving to the north-northwest at 10 mph (17 km/h).

Ana is predicted to move towards the north-northwest over the next two days as it begins to accelerate. It is likely to begin the process of extra tropical transition by October 25 as it interacts with a deep trough approaching from the west. Ana should be absorbed by the trough and will move towards the Gulf of Alaska. Some re-intensification is possible.

The Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) aboard NASA's Terra satellite captured this true-color image of Hurricane Ana south of Hawaii on October 18, 2014.

Image Facts
Satellite: Terra
Date Acquired: 10/18/2014
Resolutions: 1km ( B), 500m ( B), 250m ( B)
Bands Used: 1,4,3
Image Credit: Jeff Schmaltz, MODIS Land Rapid Response Team, NASA GSFC