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3h ago

Tropical Depression Two‑C Poised to Become Storm Near Hawaii, Officials Say

Forecasters warn it could dump heavy rain over the Big Island, worsening recovery from Hurricane Lala.

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Satellite imagery Wednesday afternoon captured a region of thunderstorms about 1,500 miles southwest of Honolulu that was forecast to strengthen to a tropical cyclone later this week. Major Hurricane Lala can be seen northwest of the larger Hawaiian islands.
A teenager wades through a pool of water in a washed-out section of road damaged by Hurricane Lala in Mountain View, Hawaii, on Aug. 16. Another powerful storm, possibly even a hurricane, could be in the offing this weekend.
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Overview

  • By early Friday the NHC and CPHC had designated the system Tropical Depression Two‑C and gave it about a 90% chance of becoming a tropical storm within 48 hours.
  • Reconnaissance flights are planned to collect real‑time data as forecasters work to narrow a forecast that still has large uncertainty in track, size and peak intensity.
  • The NHC advises 5 to 10 inches of rain for the Big Island with isolated totals up to 15 inches, a threat that could produce life‑threatening flash floods and mudslides on steep terrain.
  • Most models keep the system near or just south of the islands but the storm could still shift northward and rapid intensification is possible because central Pacific waters are unusually warm under a strong El Niño.
  • Communities remain vulnerable after Hurricane Lala, with damaged homes and power outages reported, so officials are urging residents to monitor official forecasts and prepare for heavy rain, dangerous surf and localized evacuations.