Lala Thursday Updates: Tropical Storm Lala strengthening, forecast to become a hurricane on approach to Big Island of Hawaiʻi

A new post with Lala updates for Friday, April 14 is available at a new link HERE.

Update: 11 p.m. Aug. 13, 2026
Lala holding steady, tracking WNW, forecast to become hurricane on approach to Big Island

• A Hurricane Warning is in effect for Hawaiʻi County. A Hurricane Warning means that hurricane conditions are expected somewhere within the warning area. A warning is typically issued 36 hours before the anticipated first occurrence of tropical-storm-force winds, conditions that make outside preparations difficult or dangerous. Preparations to protect life and property should be rushed to completion.
• A Tropical Storm Watch is in effect for Maui County, including the islands of Maui, Lānaʻi, Molokaʻi and Kahoʻolawe. A Tropical Storm Watch means that tropical storm conditions are possible within the watch area, in this case within the next 36 to 48 hours.  The Peak Wind Forecast for this area is 40-50 mph with gusts to 73 mph. Window for Tropical Storm force winds: Saturday afternoon until early Sunday morning.

At 11 p.m. HST, the center of Tropical Storm Lala was located about 455 miles ESE of Hilo, Hawaiʻi, near latitude 16.7 North, longitude 148.9 West. Lala is moving toward the west-northwest near 10 mph. A west-northwestward motion is expected during the next several days, with some slowing in forward speed as Lala approaches the Big Island on Saturday, followed by an increase in forward speed later in the weekend. Maximum sustained winds are near 60 mph with higher gusts. Steady strengthening is forecast, and Lala is expected to become a hurricane as it approaches the Big Island. Tropical-storm-force winds extend outward up to 275 miles from the center. The minimum central pressure estimated from Air Force Reserve Hurricane Hunter aircraft data is 997 mb (29.44 inches).

WIND: Hurricane conditions are expected on the Big Island of Hawaii by early Saturday, with tropical storm conditions possible in Maui County by late Saturday. Wind speeds atop and on the windward sides of slopes and mountains are often up to 30 percent stronger than the near-surface winds indicated in this advisory, and in some elevated locations could be even greater.

RAINFALL: Tropical Storm Lala is expected to produce rainfall totals of 8 to 12 inches across Maui and the Big Island with maximum totals of 25 inches possible across the Big Island. Rainfall totals of 4 to 6 inches with maximum amounts of 8 inches across the remainder of the island chain. This rainfall may produce life-threatening flooding and mudslides, especially in areas of steep terrain.

STORM SURGE: The combination of a dangerous storm surge and the tide will cause normally dry areas near the coast to be flooded by rising waters moving inland from the shoreline. The water could reach the following heights above ground somewhere in the indicated areas if the peak surge occurs at the time of high tide… Hawaii…1 to 3 ft The deepest water will occur along the immediate coast, where the surge will be accompanied by large and dangerous waves. Surge-related flooding depends on the relative timing of the surge and the tidal cycle, and can vary greatly over short distances.

SURF: Swells generated by Lala are expected to reach the east-facing shores of the state on Friday, spreading westward and building through the weekend. These swells are likely to cause life-threatening surf and rip current conditions.

The next complete advisory will be at 5 a.m. HST.

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Update: 8 p.m., 5 p.m. Aug. 13, 2026
Lala holding steady, forecast to become hurricane on approach to Big Island

The Hurricane Watch for Hawaiʻi County has been upgraded to a Hurricane Warning. A Tropical Storm Watch is now in effect for Maui County, including the islands of Maui, Lānaʻi, Molokaʻi and Kahoʻolawe.

Watches and Warnings:

• A Hurricane Warning is in effect for Hawaiʻi County
• A Tropical Storm Watch is in effect for Maui County, including the islands of Maui, Lānaʻi, Molokaʻi and Kahoʻolawe

A Hurricane Warning means that hurricane conditions are expected somewhere within the warning area. A warning is typically issued 36 hours before the anticipated first occurrence of tropical-storm-force winds, conditions that make outside preparations difficult or dangerous. Preparations to protect life and property should be rushed to completion.

A Tropical Storm Watch means that tropical storm conditions are possible within the watch area, in this case within the next 36 to 48 hours. Interests elsewhere in the main Hawaiian Islands, and in the Papahanaumokuakea Marine National Monument, should monitor the progress of this system. For storm information specific to your area, including possible inland watches and warnings, please monitor products issued by your local National Weather Service forecast office.

At 8 p.m. HST, the center of Tropical Storm Lala was located 530 miles ESE of Hilo, Hawaiʻi, near latitude 16.2 North, longitude 147.9 West. Lala is moving toward the west-northwest near 12 mph. A west-northwestward motion is expected during the next several days, with some slowing in forward speed as Lala approaches the Big Island on Saturday, followed by an increase in forward speed later in the weekend. Maximum sustained winds are near 60 mph with higher gusts.

Steady strengthening is forecast, and Lala is expected to become a hurricane as it approaches the Big Island. Tropical-storm-force winds extend outward up to 275 miles from the center. The minimum central pressure estimated from Air Force Reserve Hurricane Hunter aircraft data is 997 mb (29.44 inches).

WIND: Hurricane conditions are expected on the Big Island of Hawaii by early Saturday, with tropical storm conditions possible in Maui County by late Saturday. Wind speeds atop and on the windward sides of slopes and mountains are often up to 30% stronger than the near-surface winds indicated in this advisory, and in some elevated locations could be even greater.

RAINFALL: Tropical Storm Lala is expected to produce rainfall totals of 8 to 12 inches across Maui and the Big Island with maximum totals of 25 inches possible across the Big Island. Rainfall totals of 4 to 6 inches with maximum amounts of 8 inches across the remainder of the island chain. This rainfall may produce life-threatening flooding and mudslides, especially in areas of steep terrain.

STORM SURGE: The combination of a dangerous storm surge and the tide will cause normally dry areas near the coast to be flooded by rising waters moving inland from the shoreline. The water could reach the following heights above ground somewhere in the indicated areas if the peak surge occurs at the time of high tide… Hawaii…1 to 3 ft The deepest water will occur along the immediate coast, where the surge will be accompanied by large and dangerous waves. Surge-related flooding depends on the relative timing of the surge and the tidal cycle, and can vary greatly over short distances.

SURF: Swells generated by Lala are expected to reach the east-facing shores of the state on Friday, spreading westward and building through the weekend. These swells are likely to cause life-threatening surf and rip current conditions.

Next complete advisory at 11 p.m. HST.

Update: 5 p.m., Aug. 13, 2026
Lala steadily strengthening, forecast to become hurricane on approach to Big Island

At 5 p.m. HST, the center of Tropical Storm Lala was located about 555 miles ESE of Hilo, Hawaiʻi near latitude 16.2 North, longitude 147.5 West. Lala is moving toward the west-northwest near 12 mph. A faster west-northwestward motion is expected during the next several days.

On the forecast track, Lala is forecast to be near the Big Island on Saturday, and pass south of the remainder of the islands later in the weekend. Maximum sustained winds have increased to near 60 mph with higher gusts. Steady strengthening is forecast, and Lala is expected to become a hurricane as it approaches the Big Island.

Tropical-storm-force winds extend outward up to 275 miles from the center. The estimated minimum central pressure is 997 mb (29.44 inches) based on NOAA and Air Force Hurricane Hunter data.

Update: 2 p.m., Aug. 13, 2026
Lala gradually strengthening; Forecast to become a hurricane as it approaches Big Island

Lala is gradually strengthening and is forecast to become a hurricane as it approaches the Big Island of Hawaiʻi. At 2 p.m. HST, the center of Tropical Storm Lala was located approximately 620 miles ESE of Hilo Hawaiʻi, near latitude 15.6 North, longitude 146.7 West. Lala is moving toward the west-northwest near 10 mph, and a faster west-northwestward motion is expected during the next several days.

On the forecast track, Lala is forecast to be near or just south of the Big Island on Saturday, and pass south of the remainder of the islands later in the weekend. Maximum sustained winds are near 50 mph with higher gusts.

Tropical-storm-force winds extend outward up to 205 miles from the center. The estimated minimum central pressure is 999 mb (29.50 inches) based on NOAA and Air Force Hurricane Hunter data.

A Hurricane Watch is in effect for Hawaiʻi County, meaning hurricane conditions are possible within the watch area. A watch is typically issued 48 hours before the anticipated first occurrence of tropical-storm-force winds, conditions that make outside preparations difficult or dangerous. Additional watches and warnings could be required later today.

WIND: Hurricane conditions are possible in the Big Island of Hawaii by early Saturday. Wind speeds atop and on the windward sides of hills and mountains are often up to 30% stronger than the near-surface winds indicated in this advisory, and in some elevated locations could be even greater.

RAINFALL: Tropical Storm Lala is expected to produce rainfall totals of 5 to 10 inches across Maui and the Big Island with maximum totals of 25 inches possible across the Big Island. Rainfall totals of 2 to 4 inches with maximum amounts of 8 inches across the remainder of the island chain. This rainfall may produce life-threatening flooding and mudslides, especially in areas of steep terrain.

STORM SURGE: The combination of a dangerous storm surge and the tide will cause normally dry areas near the coast to be flooded by rising waters moving inland from the shoreline. The water could reach the following heights above ground somewhere in the indicated areas if the peak surge occurs at the time of high tide. The deepest water will occur along the immediate coast, where the surge will be accompanied by large and dangerous waves. Surge-related flooding depends on the relative timing of the surge and the tidal cycle, and can vary greatly over short distances.

SURF: Swells generated by Lala are expected to reach the east-facing shores of the state on Friday, spreading westward and building through the weekend. These swells are likely to cause life-threatening surf and rip current conditions.

The next complete advisory will be issued at around 5 p.m. HST.

Update: 11 a.m. HST, Thursday, Aug. 13, 2026
Lala strengthens slightly, forecast to become a hurricane as it approaches the Big Island

Lala has strengthened slightly, and is forecast to become a hurricane as it approaches the Big Island of Hawaiʻi, according to the Central Pacific Hurricane Center. At 11 a.m., Lala was located 655 miles east-southeast of Hilo, Hawaiʻi, (near latitude 15.4 North, longitude 146.2 West). It is moving WNW at 9 mph, and a faster west-northwestward motion is expected during the next several days.

“On the forecast track, Lala is forecast to be near or just south of the Big Island on Saturday, and pass south of the remainder of the islands later in the weekend. Maximum sustained winds have increased to near 45 mph with higher gusts. Steady strengthening is forecast, and Lala is expected to become a hurricane as it approaches the Big Island. Tropical-storm-force winds extend outward up to 205 miles from the center. The minimum central pressure based on data from an Air Force reconnaissance aircraft is 1000 mb (29.53 inches),” according to the Central Pacific Hurricane Center.

A Hurricane Watch remains is in effect for Hawaiʻi County, which means conditions are possible within the watch area. A watch is typically issued 48 hours before the anticipated first occurrence of tropical-storm-force winds, conditions that make outside preparations difficult or dangerous. Additional watches and warnings could be required later today.

WIND: Hurricane conditions are possible in the Big Island of Hawaii by early Saturday. Wind speeds atop and on the windward sides of hills and mountains are often up to 30 percent stronger than the near-surface winds indicated in this advisory, and in some elevated locations could be even greater.

RAINFALL: Tropical Storm Lala is expected to produce rainfall totals of 5 to 10 inches across Maui and the Big Island with maximum totals of 25 inches possible across the Big Island. Rainfall totals of 2 to 4 inches with maximum amounts of 8 inches across the remainder of the island chain. This rainfall may produce life-threatening flooding and mudslides, especially in areas of steep terrain.

STORM SURGE: The combination of a dangerous storm surge and the tide will cause normally dry areas near the coast to be flooded by rising waters moving inland from the shoreline. The water could reach the following heights above ground somewhere in the indicated areas if the peak surge occurs at the time of high tide… Hawaii…1 to 3 ft The deepest water will occur along the immediate coast, where the surge will be accompanied by large and dangerous waves. Surge-related flooding depends on the relative timing of the surge and the tidal cycle, and can vary greatly over short distances.

SURF: Swells generated by Lala are expected to reach the east-facing shores of the state on Friday, spreading westward and building through the weekend. These swells are likely to cause life-threatening surf and rip current conditions.

The next intermediate advisory will be issued at 2 p.m. HST, and the next complete advisory will be at 5 p.m. HST.

Update: Air Force Reconnaissance Aircraft about to investigate Lala
(8 a.m. HST, Thursday, Aug. 13, 2026)

The Central Pacific Hurricane Center continues to monitor the track of Tropical Storm Lala. Forecasters are about to investigate by sending Air Force Reconnaissance Aircraft to obtain further data on the storm.

Lala was last located about 680 miles east-southeast of Hilo, Hawaiʻi, and had maximum sustained winds of 40 mph. Present movement is toward the west-northwest at 10 mph.

A Hurricane Watch is in effect for Hawaiʻi County. A Hurricane Watch means that hurricane conditions are possible within the watch area. A watch is typically issued 48 hours before the anticipated first occurrence of tropical-storm-force winds, conditions that make outside preparations difficult or dangerous.

At 8 a.m. HST, the center of Tropical Storm Lala was located near latitude 15.4 North, longitude 145.8 West. A westward to west-northwestward motion is expected during the next several days.

On the forecast track, Lala is expected to be near or just south of the Big Island on Saturday, and pass south of the smaller islands during the remainder of the weekend. Steady strengthening is forecast, and Lala could be near hurricane strength as it approaches the Big Island.

Tropical-storm-force winds extend outward up to 140 miles from the center. The estimated minimum central pressure is 1001 mb (29.56 inches).

WIND: Hurricane conditions are possible in the Big Island of Hawaii by early Saturday. Wind speeds atop and on the windward sides of hills and mountains are often up to 30 percent stronger than the near-surface winds indicated in this advisory, and in some elevated locations could be even greater.

RAINFALL: Tropical Storm Lala is expected to produce rainfall totals of 5 to 10 inches across much of the Island chain, with maximum totals of 20 inches possible. This rainfall may produce life-threatening flooding and mudslides, especially in areas of steep terrain.

STORM SURGE: The combination of a dangerous storm surge and the tide will cause normally dry areas near the coast to be flooded by rising waters moving inland from the shoreline. The water could reach the following heights above ground somewhere in the indicated areas if the peak surge occurs at the time of high tide… Hawaiʻi…1 to 3 ft The deepest water will occur along the immediate coast, where the surge will be accompanied by large and dangerous waves. Surge-related flooding depends on the relative timing of the surge and the tidal cycle, and can vary greatly over short distances.

SURF: Swells generated by Lala are expected to reach the east-facing shores of the state on Friday, spreading westward and building through the weekend. These swells are likely to cause life-threatening surf and rip current conditions.

The next complete advisory will be issued at 11 a.m. HST.

Tropical Storm Lala has officially formed prompting the issuance of a Hurricane Watch for the Big Island of Hawaiʻi. A Hurricane Watch means that hurricane conditions are possible within the watch area. A watch is typically issued 48 hours before the anticipated first occurrence of tropical-storm-force winds, conditions that make outside preparations difficult or dangerous.

At 5 a.m. HST, the center of Tropical Storm Lala was located about 705 miles east-southeast of Hilo, Hawaiʻi, near latitude 15.2 North, longitude 145.5 West. Lala is moving toward the west near 10 mph. A westward to west-northwestward motion is expected during the next several days.

“On the forecast track, Lala is expected to be near or just south of the Big Island on Saturday, and pass south of the smaller islands during the remainder of the weekend,” according to the Central Pacific Hurricane Center.

Maximum sustained winds are near 40 mph with higher gusts. Steady strengthening is forecast, and Lala could be near hurricane strength as it approaches the Big Island, according to the latest CPHC forecast.

Tropical-storm-force winds extend outward up to 140 miles from the center. The estimated minimum central pressure is 1001 mb (29.56 inches).

WIND: Hurricane conditions are possible in the Big Island of Hawaii by early Saturday. Wind speeds atop and on the windward sides of hills and mountains are often up to 30 percent stronger than the near-surface winds indicated in this advisory, and in some elevated locations could be even greater.

RAINFALL: Tropical Storm Lala is expected to produce rainfall totals of 5 to 10 inches across much of the Island chain, with maximum totals of 20 inches possible. This rainfall may produce life-threatening flooding and mudslides, especially in areas of steep terrain.

STORM SURGE: The combination of a dangerous storm surge and the tide will cause normally dry areas near the coast to be flooded by rising waters moving inland from the shoreline. The water could reach the following heights above ground somewhere in the indicated areas if the peak surge occurs at the time of high tide… Hawaii…1 to 3 ft The deepest water will occur along the immediate coast, where the surge will be accompanied by large and dangerous waves. Surge-related flooding depends on the relative timing of the surge and the tidal cycle, and can vary greatly over short distances.

SURF: Swells generated by Lala are expected to reach the east-facing shores of the state on Friday, spreading westward and building through the weekend. These swells are likely to cause life-threatening surf and rip current conditions. Please consult products from your local weather office.

Previous post: (11 p.m. update Aug. 12, 2026)

The Central Pacific Hurricane Center is issuing advisories on Potential Tropical Cyclone One-C, located about 775 miles east-southeast of Hilo, Hawai’i. The disturbance is forecast to become a tropical storm by Thursday night, and additional strengthening is forecast thereafter.

The potential tropical storm is expected to strengthen before approaching the Hawaiian Islands starting late Friday. The formation chance through 48 hours remains high at 90%. A Tropical Storm is defined as a system with wind speeds of between 39 and 73 mph.

County of Maui officials are encouraging residents to prepare ahead of time. A Hurricane or Tropical Storm Watch will likely be required for a portion of the state by early Thursday, according to the CPHC.

The disturbance was last centered near latitude 14.8 North, longitude 144.5 West. The system is moving toward the west near 10 mph, and a turn toward the west-northwest is expected today.

“On the forecast track, the center will be nearing the Hawaiian Islands by late Friday. Recent satellite wind data indicate that maximum sustained winds are near 40 mph with higher gusts. However, the system still lacks sufficient organized shower and thunderstorm activity to be considered a tropical storm,” according to an 11 p.m. update on Wednesday.

Tropical-storm-force winds extend outward up to 275 miles mainly to the northeast of the center. The estimated minimum central pressure is 1002 mb (29.59 inches).

WIND: There is an increasing risk of wind impacts in the Hawaiian Islands regardless of the exact track of this system.
RAINFALL: The Potential Tropical Cyclone is expected to produce rainfall totals of 5 to 10 inches across much of the Island chain, with maximum totals of 20 inches possible. This rainfall may produce life-threatening flooding and mudslides, especially in areas of steep terrain.
SURF: Swells generated by the disturbance are expected to reach the east-facing shores of the state on Friday, spreading westward and building through the weekend. These swells are likely to cause life-threatening surf and rip current conditions. Please consult products from your local weather office.

The next complete advisory will be issued at 5 a.m. HST.