For now, a Tropical Storm Watch is in effect for portions of the Papahanaumokuakea Marine National Monument from French Frigate Shoals to Maro Reef. A Tropical Storm Watch means that tropical storm conditions are possible within the watch area, in this case within the next 12 to 24 hours.
As of the latest advisory from the Central Pacific Hurricane Center in Honolulu, Hawaii, the center of Tropical Storm Ema was located near latitude 22.2 North, longitude 166.2 West. Ema is moving toward the west-northwest near 10 mph Ema is forecast to begin moving toward the northwest at a slightly faster forward speed starting later today or tonight. This motion is expected to persist until dissipation of the system on Monday.
Maximum sustained winds are near 40 mph with higher gusts making it a minimal tropical storm. Steady weakening is forecast by the Central Pacific Hurricane Center and Ema is expected to weaken to a tropical depression later today or tonight, followed by total dissipation on Monday. For now, tropical-storm-force winds extend outward up to 45 miles from the center making this a small system. The estimated minimum central pressure is 1006 mb or 29.71 inches.
