Hawaii warned of possible impacts as tropical disturbance nears
The National Hurricane Center says a tropical disturbance east of the islands has a high chance of developing into a depression, prompting officials to advise close monitoring while the region recovers from Hurricane Lala.
A tropical disturbance located east-southeast of the Hawaiian Islands is expected to become a tropical depression within 48 hours, according to a National Hurricane Center outlook released on Aug. 19. Hurricane specialist Larry Kelly said interests in the islands should closely monitor the system, which would be the next Central Pacific storm to receive a name.
While most computer models keep the system south of the islands, the Honolulu weather service office warned that tropical moisture and rain are still likely to affect the area. The office urged residents to continue watching forecasts as details may change approaching the weekend.
University of Miami associate scientist Andy Hazelton noted on social media that the storm could follow a track similar to Hurricane Lala, which recently caused extensive rain and damage. "Hopefully it'll avoid a direct hit (too early to say), but any impacts would be problematic as the islands are still recovering from Lala," he wrote.
California climate scientist Daniel Swain said the system could make a close approach to the Big Island and potentially affect disaster recovery efforts. He added that while the consensus forecast shows a southern track, some model members suggest a direct hit remains possible.
Recovery from Lala continues, with about 20,000 customers—roughly 5% of the state's electricity users—still without power as of Aug. 19. The storm season is being influenced by a strong El Niño, which scientists say is expanding warm sea-surface temperatures northward in the Pacific, potentially leading to more active tropical activity.