Hurricane OLI Update 3 – February 5

TC Oli Hits French Polynesia

Tropical Cyclone OLI (P12) Strengthens to a Cat 4B Hurricane on FEWW New Hurricane Scale

Background:

• Cyclone OLI May Target Tourist Spots
• Hurricane OLI Update 1 – February 4
• Hurricane OLI Update 2 – February 4

Oli Strikes

OLI struck French Polynesia a few hours ago.  On the main island of Tahiti, hundreds of people abandoned their homes to escape the full wrath of the strengthening cyclone.  Roads harbors and airports were closed throughout the popular holiday island resorts, according to various reports.

Hurricane OLI Details

• Time/Date: 5 February 2010 –  00:01 UTC
• Position:  Near 20.4ºS, 151.4ºW
• Sustained Movement: 155  degrees
• Forward speed: 22 km/hr (~ 12 kt)
• Tropical Cyclone OLI has been tracking South-Southeast over the past 6 hours.
  

Current Wind Distribution:

• Maximum Sustained winds: 227 Km (122.4 kt)
• Maximum Gusts:  ~ 280km/hr (~ 150 kt)

Wave Height and Location:

• Maximum significant wave height: 8.5 m (26 ft)
• Location: OLI was located about about 350 km (~ 190 NM) SW of Tahiti
  
• Sources: CIMSS and Others

Cat 4B Hurricane OLI – Visible IR image. Date as inset. Source: UW-CIMSS. Click image to enter CIMSS Tropical Cyclone portal.

Related Links:

• Hurricane OLI Update 2 – February 4
• Cyclone OLI May Target Tourist Spots
• Hurricane OLI Update 1 – February 4
• FEWW New Hurricane Scale

Hurricane OLI Update 2 – February 4

OLI a Cat 4A Hurricane, Still Intensifying

Cyclone OLI Could Strengthen to a Monster Category 5 Hurricane in 24 Hours

Hurricane OLI. Credit: CIMSS. Click image to enter UW-CIMSS weather portal.

Background:

• Cyclone OLI May Target Tourist Spots
• Hurricane OLI Update 1 – February 4

Hurricane OLI Details

• Time/Date: 4 February 2010 –  15:01 UTC
• Position:  Near 19.0ºS, 152.1ºW
• Sustained Movement: 150  degrees
• Forward speed: 17 km/hr (~ 9 kt)
• Tropical Cyclone OLI has been tracking South-Southeast over the past 6 hours.
  

Current Wind Distribution:

• Maximum Sustained winds: 217 Km (117 kt)
• Maximum Gusts:  ~ 260km/hr (140 kt)

Wave Height and Location:

• Maximum significant wave height: 8m (24 ft)
• Location: OLI was located about about 250 km (135 NM) SSW of Bora Bora
  
• Sources: JTWC and Others

Tropical Cyclone OLI is currently a dangerous Cat 4A hurricane on the FEWW New Hurricane Scale and expected to further intensify in the warm Pacific waters (SST ~ 26ºdegrees C) during the next  12 to 24 hours, possibly to a Category 5 monster storm.

Related Links:

• Cyclone OLI May Target Tourist Spots
• Hurricane OLI Update 1 – February 4
• FEWW New Hurricane Scale