Tropical Storm Lala is currently tracking toward the Hawaiian Islands with maximum sustained winds hovering around 65 mph, putting it right on the verge of Category 1 hurricane strength as Hawaii braces for life-threatening impacts. Stick with FOX Weather for the latest updates as the system intensifies.
THE TAKEAWAY
- Lala is expected to strengthen into a hurricane as it approaches the Big Island on Saturday
- Lala has sustained winds of 65 mph, just shy of the threshold required to become a Category 1 hurricane
- The Big Island is bracing for severe flooding, high winds, and dangerous storm surges
HONOLULU, Hawaii – Tropical Storm Lala continues barreling toward the Hawaiian Islands, threatening to strengthen into a Category 1 hurricane ahead of a rare impact on the state, bringing heavy rain and rough surf that could trigger dangerous flash flooding and mudslides across the island chain.
WIDESPREAD ALERTS ISSUED ACROSS HAWAIIAN ISLANDS AS TROPICAL STORM LALA CONTINUES TO STRENGTHEN
The National Hurricane Center (NHC) expects Lala to strengthen into a hurricane as it approaches the Big Island on Saturday.
In the 5 a.m. ET advisory, the NHC announced that Lala has sustained winds of 65 mph, putting it just shy of the 75 mph threshold required to become a Category 1 hurricane.
(FOX Weather)
According to the NHC, Tropical Storm Lala is currently moving through the Pacific Ocean west north-west at 13 mph, with a central pressure of 991 mb.
TIMELINE: WHEN HAWAII WILL START FEELING TROPICAL STORM LALA’S IMPACTS
On its current track, Lala is expected to make landfall on the Big Island on Saturday, and bring lasting impacts to the Hawaiian Islands through the weekend.
(FOX Weather)
Conditions will begin deteriorating Saturday, with the worst impacts expected Saturday into Sunday. Storm surge of 1–3 feet, increasingly rough surf and dangerous waves will also impact coastal areas.
LATEST FROM FOX WEATHER HURRICANE SPECIALIST BRYAN NORCROSS
Heavy rain, damaging winds, dangerous surf and coastal flooding will all be major concerns through the weekend. Widespread rainfall totals of 5–8 inches are possible, with 12–18+ inches across higher terrain and windward areas. Locally, rainfall could approach 25 inches, bringing a significant threat of life-threatening flash flooding and mudslides.
(FOX Weather)
Hawaii Governor Josh Green declared a State of Emergency on Thursday ahead of the storm, warning that “Lala poses a serious threat to our state, particularly Hawaiʻi Island.”
A Hurricane Warning is in effect for the Big Island, while a Tropical Storm Warning now covers Maui County, including the islands of Maui, Lanai, Molokai and Kahoolawe, as well as Oahu and Kauai County, including the islands of Kauai and Niihau.
