Hurricane Lala remains a major storm packing maximum sustained winds of 125 mph, but forecasters expect it to begin a steady weakening trend as it curves north and west into the open Pacific.
According to a 5:00 a.m. advisory issued Wednesday by the National Hurricane Center, the storm features a “well-defined, pronounced eye and cold cloud tops centralized around a ring of deep convection.”
However, forecasters noted that cloud tops have warmed slightly over recent hours, and satellite data indicates Lala has likely hit its peak intensity.
The hurricane is currently moving northwest at roughly 9 mph (8 knots). An approaching mid-to-upper-level trough from the northern Pacific is expected to weaken the high-pressure ridge steering the storm, prompting Lala to turn northward on Thursday before eventually swinging back toward the northwest.
While the storm is pulling farther away from the populated main Hawaiian Islands, it is projected to stay powerful as it moves toward and past the Papahānaumokuākea Marine National Monument.
Meteorologists expect environmental conditions to deteriorate for the storm over the coming days. Rising wind shear, drier mid-level air, and diminishing upper-level support are forecast to steadily sap the hurricane’s strength over the next 60 hours.
Forecast models show Lala gradually winding down from 125 mph sustained winds Wednesday to 110 mph by Thursday morning, eventually dropping below hurricane strength to 65 mph winds by early next week.
READ: Historic El Niño Threat Cuts Atlantic Hurricane Forecast, But U.S. Coastal Risks Remain
Please make a small donation to the Tampa Free Press to help sustain independent journalism. Your contribution enables us to continue delivering high-quality, local, and national news coverage.
Sign up: Subscribe to our free newsletter for a curated selection of top stories delivered straight to your inbox.
