Tropical Storm Lala Forecast to Bring Flooding to Hawaii

A developing weather system in the Eastern and Central Pacific has officially organized into Tropical Storm Lala, placing the Hawaiian island chain on alert for severe impacts.

The National Hurricane Center issued a hurricane watch for Hawaii News Now, commonly known as the Big Island, as meteorologists warned that the storm could near hurricane strength before approaching land. The American Red Cross is actively monitoring the system and preparing emergency response measures across the region.

Forecast Track and Timing for Hawaii County and Beyond

Lala was located about 705 miles east-southeast of Hilo and roughly 1,475 miles east-southeast of Honolulu, moving westward at approximately 10 mph with maximum sustained winds of 40 mph and higher gusts, as reported by Hawaii News Now. A large mid-level high-pressure system situated north of the islands is steering the storm on a steady westward to west-northwestward path.

Meteorologists expect the core of the system to approach or pass just south of the Big Island early Saturday, before tracking south of the smaller islands through the remainder of the weekend. Reconnaissance aircraft scheduled flights into the system to gather vital data on its internal structure and precise intensity.

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Rainfall Totals, Flooding Risks, and Destructive Winds

Heavy rainfall is the primary hazard accompanying the storm. According to Yaleclimateconnections, widespread rainfall totals between 5 and 10 inches are expected across much of the island chain, with extreme local amounts reaching up to 20 inches. AccuWeather put its local storm maximum rainfall projection even higher at 24 inches on the Big Island.

Torrents of rain combined with steep terrain create a severe risk of flash floods and mudslides, particularly across windward slopes where easterly winds force moisture upward. In addition to water hazards, wind gusts could reach up to 85 mph in isolated areas, with the strongest winds expected downslope of higher terrain, over headlands, and through mountain passes.

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Dangerous Surf and Historical Precedent in the Islands

Ocean conditions will deteriorate rapidly from southeast to northwest as swells generate towering surf with waves potentially exceeding 30 feet, accompanied by a storm surge of 1 to 3 feet along southern shores, according to Foxweather. Officials warn that these conditions will produce life-threatening rip currents and severe beach erosion.

Historical tracking data shows that only two named storms have made landfall on the Big Island at tropical storm strength: Darby in July 2016 and Iselle in August 2014.

“Since 1900, there has never been a hurricane that has made landfall on the Big Island of Hawaii. There have only been two named storms that have made landfall on the Big Island: Darby in July 2016 and Iselle in August 2014.”

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Alex DaSilva, AccuWeather Lead Hurricane Expert

Forecasters also noted similarities to recent events in the island chain. AccuWeather pointed out that Hurricane Hone passed just south of South Point on the Big Island in August 2024, delivering 70-mph winds and 2 feet of rain despite its center remaining offshore.

An Active Pacific Basin Fueled by El Niño

Analysts attribute the heightened activity to strengthening El Niño conditions and record-setting sea-surface temperatures across the Pacific Basin.

Simultaneously, AccuWeather tracked Tropical Storm Hernan forming directly to the east of Lala in the open Pacific, though Hernan is expected to stay far away from land.