Hawaii Faces Intensifying Tropical Storm Moke Amid El Niño-Driven Weather Patterns For the second consecutive week, Hawaii is experiencing the impact of an intensifying tropical storm. As of 5 a.m. ET, Tropical Storm Moke was located 545 miles southeast of Hilo, Hawaii, with maximum sustained winds of 45 mph. The storm was moving west-northwest at 8 miles per hour. While it is expected to remain a tropical storm, its center is predicted to pass well to the south of the Big Island. However, the storm will likely bring heavy rains and gusty winds to an area still recovering from the previous storm, which caused significant damage. Last week, Hurricane Lala intensified while swirling just south of the Big Island. That storm dumped torrential rain—more than 3 feet in some areas on the windward side of the island—that triggered damaging landslides and flash flooding. These events cut off small communities, destroyed homes, and damaged critical infrastructure. At least one fatality has been blamed on the storm’s impact. The devastation linked to these storms is largely attributed to El Niño. In normal years, Hawaii avoids tropical storm and hurricane damage due to cooler ocean waters acting as a natural barrier. However, El Niño has disrupted this pattern by raising ocean temperatures to the east and southeast of Hawaii, where storms typically form and approach the islands. It has also increased water temperatures to the south of Hawaii, exacerbating the region’s vulnerability. In non-El Niño years, hurricanes moving west or northwest toward Hawaii encounter cooler ocean waters and stronger upper-level winds as they approach the islands. These factors weaken storms, as they derive energy from warm ocean waters and thrive when upper-level winds are weak.#national_weather_service #hawaii #el_nino #hurricane_lala #tropical_storm_moke
Tropical Storm Moke Maintains Course South of Hawaiian Islands Tropical Storm Moke is continuing its trajectory toward the south of the main Hawaiian Islands, with the National Hurricane Center reporting that the storm remains at 545 miles southeast of Hilo as of 11 p.m. Friday. The system is moving west-northwest at 8 miles per hour, maintaining maximum sustained winds of 45 miles per hour, with gusts exceeding this speed. Tropical storm-force winds, defined as 39 to 73 miles per hour, extend 175 miles from the storm’s center. Forecasters predict Moke will gradually strengthen over the next several days but do not anticipate it reaching hurricane status. The storm is expected to peak as a mid to higher-end tropical storm, with maximum winds potentially reaching 50 to 60 miles per hour as it passes south of Hawaii Island. Afterward, it will gradually weaken. The storm’s path is anticipated to be farther south than Hurricane Lala’s previous route, though it still poses a significant threat of heavy rainfall and strong winds, particularly for the island of Hawaii, which was already impacted by Lala. The storm’s center is forecast to pass south of Hawaii Island this weekend, followed by the smaller main Hawaiian Islands by early next week. A gradual shift toward the west is expected later in the weekend as a ridge builds to the north of the system. While track guidance remains largely consistent, some cross-track variability persists as the cyclone approaches and moves south of the Hawaiian Islands. The National Weather Service has issued a Flood Watch for the island of Hawaii, effective from late Saturday night through Monday afternoon.#national_weather_service #national_hurricane_center #hawaii_island #tropical_storm_moke #hawaii_islands
Tropical Storm Moke Brings Heavy Rain to Hawaii's Big Island Amid Recovery from Hurricane Lala Tropical Storm Moke developed on Friday, with winds reaching 45 mph, as Hawaii's Big Island prepares for additional rainfall days after Hurricane Lala struck. The storm is expected to move south of the island, bringing heavy rain that could lead to flooding and mudslides. Forecasters predict rainfall totals of 5 to 10 inches across the Big Island, with some areas receiving up to 15 inches. This level of rain could cause life-threatening conditions, particularly in steep terrain and regions already damaged by Lala. The storm is anticipated to deliver the heaviest rainfall on Saturday night, continuing through Sunday and into Monday. While Moke is expected to remain weaker than Hurricane Lala, its slow movement and the already saturated ground from previous storms could heighten flood risks. The National Weather Service has issued warnings about the potential for flash flooding and landslides, especially in areas with loose soil or steep slopes. Hurricane Lala, which made landfall as a Category 1 storm on Sunday, left the Big Island in a state of recovery. The storm dumped more than a foot of rain in some parts of the state, with the highest elevations receiving over 40 inches. This extreme rainfall caused widespread damage, including the destruction or severe damage to over 100 homes. Some communities were cut off, and thousands of residents remain without power. Beyond the Big Island, the rest of the Hawaiian Islands are expected to see rainfall totals of 1 to 3 inches this weekend, with localized amounts reaching up to 5 inches. While these amounts are less severe than those on the Big Island, they still pose challenges for infrastructure and emergency response.#national_weather_service #hawaiian_islands #hurricane_lala #hawaii_big_island #tropical_storm_moke
Hawaii's Big Island Faces Another Foot of Rain Just After Lala's Deadly Flooding and Landslides Hawaii is bracing for another round of heavy rainfall and potential flooding as Tropical Storm Moke approaches, just weeks after the devastating impact of Hurricane Lala. The Big Island, already reeling from catastrophic flooding and landslides caused by Lala last weekend, now faces the threat of additional torrential downpours that could exacerbate existing damage. The National Hurricane Center has issued warnings, emphasizing the risks of flash flooding and further destabilization of already vulnerable areas. Tropical Storm Moke, currently located more than 500 miles southeast of Hilo, is moving west-northwest toward the Hawaiian Islands. The storm was first identified as a tropical depression on Thursday and upgraded to a tropical storm on Friday. While its projected path takes it farther south of the islands compared to Lala’s previous track, meteorologists caution that proximity to the Big Island remains a significant concern. The storm’s closest approach to the island is expected to occur on Sunday, after which it will shift southward on Monday. The National Hurricane Center’s forecast indicates that rainfall will intensify by Sunday, with the Big Island facing 5 to 15 inches of rain, particularly over mountainous regions and eastern slopes. This level of precipitation could trigger life-threatening flash flooding and landslides, especially in areas already weakened by Lala’s storm surge. A flood watch has been issued for the Big Island, highlighting the urgency of preparedness efforts. Maui is also under threat, with up to 4 inches of rain anticipated, while the smaller islands could see up to 2 inches.#hawaii #national_hurricane_center #hurricane_lala #big_island #tropical_storm_moke
