ALMA - **HURRICANE WARNING** - 1745Z, 04-JAN-08

THE NATIONAL HYSTERIA CENTER (NEPAC DIVISION) HAS ISSUED A HURRICANE WARNING FOR VANCOUVER ISLAND AND THE OLYMPIC PENINSULA. ALMA, A CATEGORY ONE HURRICANE, IS EXPECTED TO MAKE LANDFALL IN THE WARNING AREA WITHIN THE NEXT 18 - 24 HOURS. SUSTAINED WINDS IN EXCESS OF 65KTS, HEAVY RAINS, FLOODING AND A SIGNIFICANT STORM SURGE CAN BE EXPECTED. ALMA CURRENTLY HAS A DUAL EYE STRUCTURE - 958 MB AT 44N, 135W, AND, 950MB AT 48N, 134W. OCCLUDED MAJOR FEEDER BANDS SPIRAL OUT, TRANSECTING CENTRAL WESTERN BRITISH COLUMBIA, CENTRAL WASHINGTON STATE, CENTRAL OREGON, MT. SHASTA, SACRAMENTO, THE FAR NORTHERN BAY AREA AND BACK OUT TO SEA. THIS TROPICAL CYCLONE IS UNPRECEDENTED IN A NUMBER OF WAYS. EARLIEST EVER NAMED STORM IN NEPAC. EARLIEST EVER NEPAC HURRICANE. FARTHEST NORTH NEPAC HURRICANE. UNPRECEDENTED IN PERHAPS A MILLION YEARS. EOT. HAY-MANN.