Hawaiian Islands Under Threat as Tropical Cyclone and Hurricane Gilma Loom

The Hawaiian Islands, often revered as a tropical paradise, are currently under threat as meteorologists track a developing tropical cyclone that could bring significant wind, rain, and surf impacts to the archipelago in the coming days. The potential storm system, located approximately 1,300 miles southeast of the Big Island, shows increasing signs of organization as it moves over warm waters, presenting a 90% chance of developing into a tropical depression or storm.

This storm poses a considerable threat to the Hawaiian Islands, with computer models indicating that it may merge with another weaker low-pressure system to its southwest. This could cause the storm to intensify as it approaches the island chain. The exact timing and track of the cyclone remain uncertain, but many forecasts suggest it could impact the Big Island late Saturday or Sunday. As a precaution, the Island Weather team has issued a Weather Alert Day for Sunday, signaling the potential for heavy rains, damaging winds, and dangerous surf.

Depending on the storm’s trajectory, the system could move south of the neighboring islands or travel up the island chain, bringing with it the risk of flooding, powerful winds, and treacherous surf conditions from late Sunday to Tuesday across Maui County, Oahu, and Kauai. Although cooler waters near the Hawaiian Islands are likely to prevent the system from escalating into a major hurricane, the possibility of a Tropical Storm to Category One hurricane impacting the state remains on the table.

Adding to the islanders’ concerns is Hurricane Gilma, the second storm of the 2024 East Pacific hurricane season. While the storm is currently forecast to strengthen to hurricane force, experts believe it will weaken as it moves into cooler waters in the Central Pacific next week. However, Gilma’s path will need to be monitored closely, as any deviation could pose additional threats to the Hawaiian Islands.

The current situation has the residents of the Hawaiian Islands on high alert, especially in the wake of Hurricane Dora’s impact last year. Dora, which remained more than 500 miles south of Honolulu, still managed to trigger devastating wind-driven wildfires on Maui, resulting in the tragic loss of 102 lives. The memory of Dora’s destruction is a stark reminder of how even distant storms can have severe consequences for the islands.

Meteorologists from Island News and the National Hurricane Center are closely monitoring both the developing cyclone and Hurricane Gilma, with new forecast models and tracks expected to be released multiple times daily. Residents and visitors to the Hawaiian Islands are urged to stay informed, heed local advisories, and prepare for potential adverse weather conditions.