Moke holds steady; wet weather forecast over already saturated Big Island late Saturday night

Update: 5 p.m., Friday, Aug. 21, 2026
Moke holding steady this afternoon; Heavy rain and gusty winds expected in portions of the Hawaiian Islands this weekend and early next week

Heavy rainfall associated with Moke will begin to impact the Big Island of Hawaiʻi late Saturday, with rain spreading westward across the remainder of the Hawaiian Islands Sunday into Monday. Forecasters with the National Weather Service say that although the strongest winds associated with Moke are expected to pass south of the Hawaiian Islands, strong gusty winds are likely, particularly in areas within and downslope of higher terrain.

At 5 p.m. HST, the center of Tropical Storm Moke was located about 595 miles SE of Hilo, Hawaiʻi, near latitude 14.0 North, longitude 148.3 West. Moke is moving toward the west-northwest near 12 mph, and this general motion is expected during the next couple of days. On the forecast track, the center of the storm is expected to pass south of the Big Island of Hawaiʻi this weekend, then south of the smaller main Hawaiian Islands early next week.

Maximum sustained winds are near 45 mph with higher gusts. Gradual strengthening is forecast over the next day or two. Tropical-storm-force winds extend outward up to 70 miles from the center.

The minimum central pressure is 999 mb (29.50 inches) based on data from a NOAA reconnaissance aircraft.

WIND: Gusty winds are expected across the Hawaiian Islands this weekend, 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 1 to 2 inches with maximum amounts of 4 inches are expected on eastern Maui. For the remainder of the islands, 1 to 2 inches of rain are possible. This rainfall 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.

SURF: Swells generated by the storm are expected to affect exposed east and south facing shores of the Hawaiian Islands this weekend and into early next week. These swells may cause life threatening surf and rip current conditions.

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