Hawaii on the Risk List to Be Hit By Relentless Storms This Weekend

As the National Hurricane Center warns everyone to “closely monitor” the developing storm, talks of heavy rains and strong winds, which might lead to wildfires, begin to surface.  

Pay Attention 

Wednesday saw hurricane forecasters pay close attention to a developing tropical system in the Pacific Ocean – one that has the potential (60%, to be exact) to become a new storm that could hit Hawaii within the next week. 

Might Seem Calm…

According to Wednesday morning’s forecasts by the National Hurricane Center (NHC): “Showers and thunderstorms have changed little in organization since last night in association with a well-defined area of low pressure located well east-southeast of the Hawaiian Islands.” 

… Or Something’s Brewing 

The NHC forecast added: “However, only a slight improvement in organization could result in the formation of a tropical depression or tropical storm later today while it moves generally westward at 10 to 15 miles per hour.” 

Time Will Tell 

As per the forecast, the system is predicted to grow stronger as it travels toward the central Pacific basin either by Wednesday- or Thursday night. 

And it has the potential of moving near the Hawaiian Islands early next week or even as quickly as this weekend. 

Keep An Eye Out 

The NHC also issued a warning to viewers to “closely monitor” the storm, even though it’s not clear what its precise path and size could be at this point. 

As stated by AccuWeather, the potential storm is estimated to be around 1,200 miles southeast of Hawaii.

Big Year for Weather 

This year’s Pacific Hurricane Season has been quite the active one, as no fewer than seven storms have already been experienced. 

Note that this is different from the Atlantic Hurricane Season, which usually conjures up storms that have a bigger influence on the US.  

Another Day, Another Storm 

The ocean’s second hurricane of this season, Hurricane Gilma, formed in the Pacific on Wednesday. However, its potential of directly hitting land isn’t very promising. 

Nothing to Worry About (Yet)

So, as Hurricane Gilma is a storm story for another day, more eyes are focused on a region of chaotic thunderstorms situated near the convergence of the Eastern Pacific basin and the Central Pacific basin, where the possibility of developing another storm is bigger. 

Moving Up 

According to Alex DaSilva, lead hurricane expert at AccuWeather, this new disturbance is predicted to gradually move in a northern direction over the next few days. 

After that, it is set to speed up into the Central Pacific basin by the end of this week. 

Approaching Slowly but Surely 

As DaSilva says: “This feature will take a general west-northwest path that will bring it closer and closer to Hawaii into this weekend.”

Who’s Betting? 

Reports by Hawaii News Now state that long-range weather models are indicating a “higher chance for development” southeast of Hawaii during this week. 

What to Expect 

As per the Hawaii News Now forecast: “The cyclone is forecast to pass by Hawaii Island this week, bringing heavy flooding rains, winds and large surf for parts of the state.”

The Last Landfall One  

The last time a tropical system touched down in Hawaii was Storm Olivia in September 2018, according to AccuWeather. 

What Shall We Name It? 

The name of a new tropical storm depends on the basin in which it forms. 

Hawaii News Now claims that if the storm develops into a more organized system in the Eastern Pacific, it will be named “Hector.” 

But if it forms in the Central Pacific, “Hone”, a Hawaiian name, is what it will be called.  

This Year’s First 

However, Hawaii News Now is leaning more towards development in an eastern direction – which, if that happens, will mean this new storm will be known as “Hector”. 

And then “Hector” will be the first named storm of 2024’s Central Pacific hurricane season. 

Maybe It’ll Pass 

Meteorologists at AccuWeather predict that instead of making direct landfall, this storm might pass south of Hawaii. 

Some Downpours? 

Currently, the biggest risk that this potential storm poses is heavy rain – certain regions of Hawaii could see as much as 4 inches shower down from Sunday until Tuesday next week. 

Accompanying the showers could be wind gusts blowing as strongly as 80 miles per hour. 

Or Mighty Winds? 

But when speaking to Newsweek, Senior Meteorologist at AccuWeather, John Feerick, predicted that some parts of Hawaii, like Maui, could see gusty winds without any rain.

Should that happen, the odds of wildfires will increase. 

Too Soon

Nobody needs to be reminded about how the powerful winds originating from the remote Hurricane Dora helped in spreading the devastating Maui wildfires only a year ago, resulting in the loss of more than 100 lives.

Let’s Stay Hopeful 

And even though the chances of wildfires could be enhanced drastically by winds, the accompanying rain could do wonders for the drought that is currently affecting Hawaii. 

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