Lala Friday Updates: Lala advances, hurricane status expected on approach to Big Island of Hawaiʻi

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

Regularly scheduled Lala updates for Friday, Aug. 14, 2026 are posted here. Steady strengthening is forecast, and Lala is expected to become a hurricane as it approaches the 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.
• Interests elsewhere in Hawaiʻi should monitor the progress of Lala, and Tropical Storm Watches or Warnings could be required on Friday.

At 11 p.m. HST, on Aug. 14, 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).

Forecast Discussion: The Central Pacific Hurricane Center provided an updated forecast discussion saying: “Interaction with the terrain of the Big Island could result in short-term changes in the cyclone’s structure and intensity during its closest approach. Thereafter, a progressively drier mid-level environment, along with some increase in westerly vertical wind shear, should result in weakening as Lala passes south of the smaller islands through the remainder of the weekend. Some re-strengthening is forecast early next week as vertical wind shear relaxes and Lala remains over warm sea surface temperatures.”

WIND: Hurricane conditions are expected on the Big Island of Hawaiʻi 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. Winds are expected to be the strongest in areas of higher terrain.

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.