Hawaii Prepares for Potential Tropical Storm Lala, Forecasters Warn of Heavy Rain and Surf
Hawaii is bracing for the approach of Potential Tropical Cyclone One-C, expected to strengthen into Tropical Storm Lala. Forecasters warn of heavy rainfall, potential flooding, and dangerous surf conditions impacting the islands later this week.
Key takeaways
- Potential Tropical Cyclone One-C is tracking towards Hawaii and is expected to become Tropical Storm Lala.
- The storm may bring significant rainfall, leading to flooding and mudslides, and dangerous surf.
- Forecasters are considering issuing tropical storm or hurricane watches for the Hawaiian Islands.
- Residents are advised to monitor updates and prepare for potential impacts.
What Happened
A weather disturbance in the central North Pacific has been designated Potential Tropical Cyclone One-C and is tracking toward the Hawaiian Islands. Forecasters anticipate it will strengthen into a tropical storm, possibly named Lala, by Wednesday. The system is expected to approach the Big Island of Hawaii by Friday night or Saturday morning.
The National Hurricane Center is considering issuing tropical storm or hurricane watches for the islands, potentially as early as Wednesday night or Thursday. The storm is currently located over 1,000 miles southeast of Hawaii, moving westward.
Why It Matters
The approaching system poses risks of significant rainfall, potentially leading to life-threatening flooding and mudslides, particularly in mountainous areas. Even if the storm does not make direct landfall, it is expected to generate massive swells and dangerous surf, with wave heights potentially exceeding 20 to 30 feet. These conditions could make local beaches extremely hazardous.
The National Hurricane Center advises residents to monitor forecasts and ensure preparedness plans are in place, especially those living in housing vulnerable to wind, rain, or elevated tides.
Background
Hawaii experiences tropical systems infrequently. Since the 1950s, only two hurricanes, Dot in 1959 and Iniki in 1992, have made landfall in the state, both on Kauai. While Hurricane Iselle in 2014 weakened to a tropical storm before hitting the Big Island, it still caused significant impacts. Elevated tides are currently present due to trade winds, the moon's position, and unusually warm ocean temperatures.
The current El Niño event is expected to become one of the strongest on record, potentially influencing Pacific weather patterns.
Key Facts
- The weather disturbance has been upgraded to Potential Tropical Cyclone One-C.
- Forecasters expect it to become Tropical Storm Lala and approach Hawaii by Friday night or Saturday.
- Tropical storm or hurricane watches may be issued for the islands by Thursday.
- The storm is located over 1,000 miles southeast of Hawaii and is moving west.
- Potential impacts include 5 to 10 inches of rainfall, with up to 20 inches in some areas, and wave heights possibly exceeding 30 feet.
- Two hurricanes have made landfall in Hawaii since the 1950s: Dot (1959) and Iniki (1992).
Sources reviewed
Project Chintan independently synthesized and analyzed information cross-checked across the sources listed above.
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