![]() Hurricane Madeline at peak intensity east of Hawaii on August 29 | |
Meteorological history | |
---|---|
Formed | August 26, 2016 |
Dissipated | September 2, 2016 |
Category 4 major hurricane | |
1-minute sustained (SSHWS/NWS) | |
Highest winds | 130 mph (215 km/h) |
Lowest pressure | 950 mbar (hPa); 28.05 inHg |
Overall effects | |
Fatalities | None |
Damage | Minimal |
Areas affected | Hawaii |
IBTrACS / [1] | |
Part of the 2016 Pacific hurricane season |
Hurricane Madeline was the first of two tropical cyclones that threatened to make a landfall on Hawaii as a hurricane in 2016, the other being Hurricane Lester. The fourteenth named storm, eighth hurricane and fifth major hurricane of the 2016 Pacific hurricane season, Madeline developed out of an area of low pressure that formed well to the south-southwest of Baja California. By August 26, the disturbance developed to a tropical depression, before becoming a tropical storm shortly afterwards. Wind shear initially inhibited development, however as the cyclone turned northwest, Madeline underwent rapid intensification as an eye feature developed within the storm on August 29. Madeline ultimately peaked as a Category 4 major hurricane the next day. The hurricane then began to weaken as wind shear began to increase as it approached Hawaii. By September 1, Madeline weakened to a tropical storm and passed just south of the Big Island of Hawaii, dumping heavy rainfall, surf, and gusty winds to the island. The cyclone eventually degenerated into a remnant low on September 2 before dissipating later that day.
In advance of both Madeline and Lester to its east, the state of Hawaii began to prepare for a potentially historic strike, possibly two, as the hurricanes approached. Hurricane warnings were issued for the Big Island in preparation for the imminent landfall. As Madeline approached, somewhat weaker than expected, a state of emergency was declared for the entire state of Hawaii still, with dozens of emergency shelters opening on the Big Island. Public schools were closed through September 1 due to the hurricane, and officials advised to stay off any roads and remain indoors if possible. Madeline brought less damage then expected, mainly due to its southward jog and missing the state as a tropical storm, however, areas of Hawaii still experienced heavy rainfall, flooding, storm surge and gusty winds at times.