Hurricane Fausto strengthened into a Category 2 storm in the Pacific Ocean and is expected to approach the Hawaiian Islands next week, bringing increasing risks of wind and rainfall. Meanwhile, Tropical Storm Genevieve formed Friday in the Eastern Pacific, according to the National Hurricane Center.
Forecasters at the National Hurricane Center in Miami reported Tropical Storm Genevieve formed Friday off the coast of Mexico while Hurricane Fausto strengthened into a Category 2 storm hundreds of miles away, tracking westward toward the Central Pacific.
Hurricane Fausto Approaches the Hawaiian Islands With Heavy Surf and Wind Threats
Hurricane Fausto maintained its strength as a Category 2 storm with maximum sustained winds around 105 mph (169 kph), according to advisories issued Friday.
The National Weather Service in Honolulu noted that a strong high-pressure system north of the state will keep moderate to breezy trade winds in place through Monday before Fausto approaches the islands. Forecasters expect that it will begin weakening this weekend as it continues on a track that should bring it just north of the islands early next week. The latest forecast continues to bring the center of Fausto north of the island chain Tuesday into Wednesday while weakening to a tropical storm as it approaches Hawaii early next week.
“The latest forecast for Fausto shows a weakening trend to tropical storm strength as it moves closer to the island chain. Subtle shifts in the storm’s track or intensity will lead to forecast changes in island-by-island weather impacts.”
National Weather Service
Forecasters cautioned that subtle shifts in the storm’s track or intensity could change potential impacts from island to island, and forecasters are urging residents to continue monitoring the system because even small changes in its track could affect the islands. Interests in the Hawaiian Islands should monitor the progress of Fausto, the center said in an advisory.
Preparedness Urged as Surf and Rip Current Warnings Take Effect
Forecasters said the greatest concerns remain elevated surf along east-facing shores, periods of heavy rain and locally strong winds if the storm tracks closer to the state. East shore surf is expected to rise above advisory levels beginning late Sunday and continue through Tuesday as swells generated by Fausto reach the islands. The hurricane center said swells generated by Fausto could cause life-threatening surf and rip tides in parts of southern California. Gradual weakening was expected during the coming days.
The National Weather Service is encouraging residents to use the weekend to review hurricane preparedness plans and ensure households have enough food, water and other essential supplies to be self-sufficient for up to 14 days if needed. Away from Fausto, Hawaii is expected to see typical trade wind weather through the weekend, with passing showers favoring windward and mauka areas, especially overnight and during the early morning hours.
Tropical Storm Genevieve Forms in the Eastern Pacific
Farther east, Tropical Storm Genevieve formed Friday in the Eastern Pacific Ocean, being the seventh of the temporada y uno de los ciclones desarrollados en la cuenca, informó el Servicio Meteorológico Nacional (SMN). Captured in this GOES-19 GeoColor satellite image provided by NOAA showing Tropical Storm Genevieve in the Eastern Pacific on Friday, July 24, 2026, the storm was located about 570 miles (920 kilometers) south of Zihuatanejo, Mexico.
Maximum sustained winds were around 50 mph (85 kph), according to an advisory from the National Hurricane Center. El centro de la tormenta tropical se localizó cerca de la latitud 9.2 norte, longitud 101.9 oeste, moviéndose hacia el oeste-noroeste cerca de 20 km/h, y se anticipa que este movimiento general continúe durante los próximos días. El fenómeno se monitorea y se vigila durante su desplazamiento, y la asesoría indicó que la tormenta se esperaba que se intensificara rápidamente en los próximos días.
Basin Activity and Atlantic Remnants
Hasta el momento, se han desarrollado las tormentas tropicales Amanda, Boris, Cristina, Douglas, Elida y Fausto como parte de la actividad prevista para este año. Estos fenómenos se han formado de manera gradual conforme las condiciones atmosféricas y oceánicas han favorecido el desarrollo de ciclones tropicales en la cuenca del Pacífico, y la actividad ciclónica en el Pacífico suele extenderse durante varios meses, por lo que se prevé que continúe la formación de nuevos sistemas conforme avance la temporada.
Las personas que se encuentren expuestas a una tormenta tropical deben seguir ciertas instrucciones, tales como ubicar los refugios temporales, tener a la mano un botiquín de primeros auxilios, conservar la calma, desconectar todos los aparatos y el interruptor de energía eléctrica, cerrar las llaves de paso de gas y agua, mantenerse alejado de puertas y ventanas, y no prender velas ni veladoras y usar lámparas de pilas.
Fausto has been churning in the Pacific while Tropical Storm Bertha moved along the Gulf Coast. Bertha brought heavy surf and some flooding to southern Louisiana and Texas as it came ashore for a second time Thursday. By late that evening, the hurricane center declared Bertha had dissipated.
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