Timeline: When Hawaii will start feeling Tropical Storm Lala's impacts
Timeline: When Hawaii will start feeling Tropical Storm Lala's impacts
Alexandra Myers, Julian Atienza Sat, August 15, 2026 at 3:02 AM UTC
0
Lala to strengthen into a hurricane as it passes Hawaii; forecast to make its closest approach on Saturday
Rain from the outer bands is expected to reach the Big Island by midday Friday and intensify through the evening
The Big Island is expected to take a hard hit with extreme rain and intense winds
Heaviest rain to reach Honolulu and Lihue late Saturday, moisture tail could extend rain through Monday
HONOLULU — Tropical Storm Lala is closing in on Hawaii and is expected to strengthen into a Category 1 hurricane as it passes south of the islands this weekend, but will still deliver intense wind, rain and mudslides, as the state braces for its strongest storm in recent years.
What's The Difference Between A Tropical Depression, Tropical Storm And A Hurricane?
A Hurricane Warning is in effect for the Big Island, while a Tropical Storm Warning now covers Maui County, including the islands of Maui, Lanai, Molokai and Kahoolawe, as well as Oahu and Kauai County, including the islands of Kauai and Niihau.
Here’s a timeline from the FOX Forecast Center of when and what kind of impacts Tropical Storm Lala is expected to bring to your area.
What Hurricane And Tropical Storm Watches And Warnings Mean
It will be a quiet start to the day as Lala begins its approach toward Hawaii. But by midday, rain showers will become more frequent as the storm strengthens to the east.
Tropical Storm Lala is expected to have maximum sustained winds of 65 to 70 mph.
What’s The Difference Between Rip Currents, Rip Tides And Undertows?
Beginning Friday afternoon local time, showers and downpours will increase, especially across the Big Island and Maui, with higher wind gusts across higher terrain by later in the evening.
Bizzare wave shapes created by colliding outgoing and incoming waves off the Na Pali Coast on Kauai, Hawaii.
Overnight Friday into the early hours of Saturday, Lala will continue to intensify, with maximum sustained winds forecast to reach around 70 mph, making it a strong tropical storm.
What Is A Super El Nino?
Downpours will gradually increase across the Big Island, although the heaviest precipitation will likely remain offshore near the center of Lala.
Winds across Maui and the Big Island could begin gusting to 30 to 40 mph ahead of the system. As the storm strengthens, surf will become rough, with offshore waves potentially exceeding 15 feet.
Conditions will ramp up Saturday as the core of Lala makes a close pass to the Big Island.
Lala is forecast to strengthen into a Category 1 hurricane Saturday morning, with maximum sustained winds around 75 mph.
What Is A Category 1 Hurricane?
The National Hurricane Center currently does not forecast a landfall on the Big Island, but FOX Weather Hurricane Specialist Bryan Norcross warned that the islands will still feel Lala's most intense impacts.
Advertisement
By midday, the heaviest rain will begin impacting the Big Island before spreading north into Maui and eventually Oahu.
Waves start to pick up as a storm forms.
Intense rainfall near the center of Lala, combined with the mountainous terrain along the windward sides of the Big Island and Maui, could lead to flash flooding and mudslides.
How To Watch Fox Weather
Wind gusts could reach 60 to 70 mph or higher, with sustained winds of 35 to 55 mph. Sustained winds up to 75 mph, and even higher at elevation, are possible depending on how close Lala tracks to the Big Island when it makes its pass Saturday.
Power outages will also be possible, along with strong surf, coastal flooding and storm surge of 1 to 3 feet.
Huge waves will crash against the east and south coast of the Big Island, pushing water into low-lying areas. Wave heights could be in excess of 30 feet near the storm's center.
The core of Lala will begin moving southwest of the island chain, with maximum sustained winds remaining around 75 mph.
Wind gusts could reach 40 to 50 mph across much of the state through the night.
The heaviest rain will shift into portions of the central and northern islands, including Honolulu and Lihue, increasing the threat of flash flooding. Some areas could receive 5 to 8 inches of rain.
El Niño Continues To Strengthen To Record Territory, Increased Odds Of Reaching 'Super' Status By Year's End
As the core of the system moves west, coastal waves will remain elevated at around 6 to 9 feet.
Conditions will gradually improve Sunday afternoon, although gusty winds and a few showers could linger into the middle of the afternoon.
Honolulu ahead of the storm, shot from Wa’ahila Ridge on Aug. 13, 2026.
Storm surge will also start to decrease as Lala moves farther west of Hawaii.
By midday Sunday, Lala is expected to weaken slightly but maintain maximum sustained winds around 70 mph as it races westward, taking the worst of the rain and wind threat with it.
How Are Hurricanes Rated? The Saffir-simpson Hurricane Wind Scale Explained
While calmer conditions are expected to return to the Big Island and Maui through the day, a feeder band will be over or near the islands after the center of the storm passes late Sunday.
This could cause heavy rain to linger into Monday.
Original article source:Timeline: When Hawaii will start feeling Tropical Storm Lala's impacts
Source: “AOL Breaking”
