The storm could become named Tropical Storm Lala on the evening of Wednesday, Aug. 12. Hurricane forecasters expect a direct hit on Hawaii.Show Caption
A weather system has formed in the central Pacific Ocean and is forecast to threaten Hawaii as a tropical storm, with rough winds, high seas and heavy rain later this week and into the weekend.The system, now called "Potential Tropical Cyclone One-C," will likely get the name Lala when it becomes a tropical storm. As of 11 a.m. ET, the system had maximum sustained winds of 35 mph and was centered about 1,140 miles from Honolulu, according to the Central Pacific Hurricane Center. It was moving toward the west at 10 mph.The disturbance is expected to become a tropical storm later on Aug. 12 and strengthen while it moves west-northwestward near or over the Hawaiian Islands late this week and this weekend, the center said. "Although it is too soon to specify the exact location and magnitude of impacts, residents should closely monitor the latest forecast updates and ensure that they have their preparedness plan in place."Likely impacts on HawaiiHeavy rainfall associated with the system is expected to begin to impact the Big Island Friday, Aug. 14, spreading westward into Maui on Saturday, Aug. 15, and across Lanai, Molokai, Oahu and Kauai on Sunday, Aug. 16, forecasters said. This rainfall may produce life-threatening flooding and mudslides, especially in areas of steep terrain.The center warned of an increasing risk of wind and wave impacts in the Hawaiian Islands regardless of the exact track and intensity of the system. Hurricane or tropical storm watches may be required for portions of the Hawaiian Islands Wednesday, Aug. 12 or early Thursday, Aug. 13.Wildfires are also a concern, according to the National Weather Service in Honolulu: "Fire weather concerns increase on Friday [Aug. 14]. Winds will begin to strengthen and a dry and stable air mass with low relative humidity in advance of the storm will likely lead to high wildfire potential."El Niño's influence on HawaiiWhile El Niño gets much more attention for its pacifying effect on tropical storms and hurricanes in the Atlantic Ocean, it intends to increase tropical activity in the Pacific Ocean.When an El Niño strengthens, trade winds weaken and ocean temperatures warm near and to the east of Hawaii, Malte Stuecker, director of the University of Hawai'i at Manoa's International Pacific Research Center, previously told USA TODAY. The warmer ocean temperatures together with the wind pattern will increase the risk of a hurricane hitting the islands during the June to November hurricane season, Stuecker said.If Lala brushes Hawaii with high surf, wind or rains this week, it would be the third system to send impacts to the island chain in 2026. Both Hurricanes Fausto and Genevieve affected surf conditions along the islands. Fausto brought high surf and dangerous currents, while Genevieve later contributed long period swells.See the storm trackerHow many times has Hawaii been hit by a storm?While dozens of storms like Fausto have brushed Hawaii with winds, rains or rough seas, only 13 tropical storms or hurricanes have made landfall on, or passed within 10 miles of the main islands since 1950, according to the Historical Hurricane Tracks feature from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. Two hurricanes have made landfall on Kauai: Iniki in September 1992 and Dot in 1959.Doyle Rice and Dinah Voyles Pulver are national correspondents with USA TODAY, specializing in weather and climate. Reach Rice at drice@usatoday.com and Pulver at dpulver@usatoday.com.
