Tropical Storm Lala Continues Tracking South of Hawaii

Lala weakens back into a Tropical Storm, but continues to cause significant rain across Hawaii before it exits on Monday.

In the central Pacific, as of 2 a.m. HST (8 a.m. EDT), Tropical Storm Lala was located near 19.9N, 157.6W, or about 105 miles west-northwest of Kailua-Kona, and 100 miles south of Honolulu. Lala is moving at 15 mph towards the northwest, with winds of 70 mph. Its central pressure is 29.27 inches, or 991 mb.

A Tropical Storm Warning is in effect for the Big Island, Oahu, Kauai, Niihau, Maui, Molokai, Lanai and Kahoolawe.

Tropical Storm Lala will continue to impact the western islands today while the Big Island may see relief by this afternoon. With the rest of the islands, flash flooding and mudslides are anticipated due to the mountainous terrain. Strong winds will also continue, likely tropical-storm force winds.

Rain will also continue to be dumped across Hawaii. Across the Big Island, particularly the eastern sides, rain totals of 8 to 18 inches have already occurred with some areas reaching 22 to 26 inches. In Maui, they have seen rain amounts 4 to 10 inches with isolated areas nearing 15 inches. When all is said and done, the Big Island will likely see totals of 15 to 25 inches and locally up to 30 to 35 inches while Maui will see 5 to 15 inches and locally up to 8 to 18 inches. Meanwhile, the rest of the island chain is expected to see rainfall totals from 2 to 4 inches, however isolated totals could be as high as 8 inches. Life-threating flooding and mudslides, especially in areas of steep terrain are possible. Typically dry areas along the coast will likely be flooded by the tide and storm surge where water levels can climb 1 to 2 feet above normal.

Lala will exit Hawaii by Monday, but some lingering light rain bands and breezy winds may occur, particularly for Niihau and Kauai.

Its geographic position in the tropics obviously makes Hawaii a candidate for tropical systems, although it is rare for a tropical system to survive to the 50th state. Cooler water to Hawaii’s east acts as a shield, leaving only a handful of systems to approach. Remnants of these storms are what typically bring heavy rain and wind to Hawaii as they pass the region.

The better bet for tropical development comes from those storms that develop well to the south and southeast of the islands. Here, the storm can avoid the cool water shield and organize into a powerful storm. The best example of this pattern would be Hurricane Iniki, which pummeled Kauai and the western islands in September 1992 as it approached from the south.

Residents as well as visitors to the Hawaiian Islands should take extra precautions and remain informed on evacuation routes and even backup routes in case the preferred route is blocked. Non-perishable foods and clean water as well as an electricity source to charge necessary electronics will be very helpful in case the power goes out.