Moke weakens slightly; Heavy rain, gusty winds expected to begin tonight on Big Island

Update: 5 p.m. HST Saturday, Aug. 22 2026
Moke weakens slightly; Heavy rain, gusty winds expected to begin tonight on Big Island

Trade winds will continue to strengthen today as Tropical Storm Moke moves generally from east to west, south of the islands. This system will deliver periods of rainfall to all islands from late tonight through Monday, with the heaviest rainfall forecast along windward and southeast slopes of the Big Island. A Flood Watch goes into effect for the Big Island at midnight Saturday night. A Wind Advisory is in effect for parts of the Big Island and Maui County through 6 p.m. Sunday. Drier trade wind weather will return Tuesday.

At 5 p.m. HST, the center of Tropical Storm Moke was located about 360 miles SSE of Hilo, Hawaiʻi near latitude 15.3 North, longitude 152.1 West. Moke is moving toward the west near 14 mph, and this general motion is expected during the next several days. On the forecast track, the center of the storm is expected to pass south of the Big Island of Hawaiʻi on Sunday, then well south of the smaller main Hawaiian Islands early next week.

Maximum sustained winds are near 45 mph with higher gusts. Little change in strength is expected tonight, but a gradual weakening trend is forecast to begin on Sunday. Tropical-storm-force winds extend outward up to 115 miles from the center.

The minimum central pressure is 999 mb (29.50 inches) based on data from NOAA and Air Force Reserve reconnaissance aircraft.

WIND: Gusty winds are expected across the Hawaiian Islands late tonight and Sunday, especially in areas of high terrain.

RAINFALL: Moke is expected to produce rainfall totals of 5 to 10 inches with maximum amounts of 15 inches across the Big Island. Rainfall totals of 3 to 6 inches are expected on eastern Maui. These rainfall amounts may produce life-threatening flooding and mudslides for the windward and southeast Big Island, especially in steep terrain and over areas that were affected recently by Lala.

Across western Maui and the remainder of the islands, moisture drawn northward from Moke may bring up to 1 or 2 inches of rain.

Interests in the Hawaiian Islands should closely monitor the progress of this system. The next complete advisory will be issued at around 11 p.m. HST.