Hurricane forecasters say developing storm could threaten Hawaii
Hurricane forecasters continued to keep close watch Wednesday on a developing tropical system in the Pacific Ocean, one that has folks in Hawaii paying close attention to the forecast, just one year after a deadly wind-whipped wildfire killed scores on Maui.
"Showers and thunderstorms continue to become better organized in association with a well-defined area of low pressure located well east-southeast of the Hawaiian Islands," the Central Pacific Hurricane Center said Wednesday morning. "If these trends continue, a tropical depression or tropical storm is likely to develop later today while it moves generally westward at 10 to 15 mph."
This system is expected to strengthen as it moves into the Central Pacific basin tonight or on Thursday and move near the Hawaiian Islands late this weekend or early next week, the hurricane center said.
Just one year ago, strong winds from distant Hurricane Dora were a factor in fanning catastrophic wildfires on Maui, killing over 100 people.
"In terms of kicking up strong dry winds that can enhance the wildfire risk, a fully developed tropical storm or hurricane passing just to the south of the islands but not bringing rain would be a worst-case scenario," AccuWeather lead hurricane expert Alex DaSilva said in an online forecast report.
System could near Hawaii by the weekend
The disturbance is forecast to meander slowly northward during the next few days before accelerating into the Central Pacific basin by the latter portion of the week.
"This feature will take a general west-northwest path that will bring it closer and closer to Hawaii into this weekend," DaSilva said.
Long-range weather models are showing a "higher chance for development" southeast of Hawaii this week, Hawaii News Now said.
"The cyclone is forecast to pass by Hawaii Island this week, bringing heavy flooding rains, winds and large surf for parts of the state," Hawaii News Now said.
Regardless of potential tropical cyclone development, the National Weather Service in Honolulu said "it is the peak of hurricane season here in Hawaii, and now is a good time to make sure that you and your family are prepared. For more information on how to do so, visit this weather service page.
What will the storm's name be?
If a named tropical storm forms, its name would depend on which basin it forms in: According to Hawaii News Now, if it becomes more organized over the Eastern Pacific, it will be given the name “Hector,” If it forms over the Central Pacific, it will be given the Hawaiian name “Hone.”
First Central Pacific storm of the season
This could be the first named storm of the Central Pacific hurricane season.
Overall, the 2024 Central Pacific hurricane season outlook from federal forecasters calls for 1–4 tropical cyclones across the region. A near-normal season has 4 or 5 tropical cyclones, which include tropical depressions, tropical storms and hurricanes.