Tropical Storm Lala, a cyclone headed for the Big Island of Hawaii, is expected to strengthen into aCategory 1 hurricaneearly Saturday morning. There is the potential for “life-threatening” flooding and mudslides, the National Hurricane Center (NHC)saidin a statement on Friday.
As of Friday, Lala is still considered a tropical storm, with wind gusts clocking in at about 60 miles per hour (about 95 kilometers per hour). To be designated a Category 1 hurricane, winds must reach at least 74 mph (about 119 kmh).
The storm could make landfall this weekend, or move just south of the Big Island, says Liam Tsamous, a meteorologist at the National Weather Service’s Honolulu office. Residents should expect “heavy rain” and “strong wind,” Tsamous says.
“Preparations to protect life and property should be rushed to completion,” the NHC said.
“While the 50th state is no stranger to brushes from tropical storms and hurricanes, only 2 hurricanes on record (since 1949)-Category 4 Iniki in 1992 and Category 1 Dot in 1959-have passed directly over any of the main Hawaiian Islands (both struck Kauaʻi in the north),” hurricane specialist Michael Lowrywroteon his SubStack on Friday.
In other words, Lala could be thefirst hurricane to directly hit the statesince Iniki, when director Steven Spielberg wasfilmingJurassic Parkon the islands. In fact, some of the movie’s storm scenes were in factfootagefrom Iniki.
As of Friday, officials have issued a hurricane warning for Hawaii’s Big Island, indicating hurricane conditions are expected, including strong winds, rainfall up to 25 inches, and storm surge up to three feet. Smaller islands in Maui County are under a tropical storm warning.
AsScientific Americanpreviously reported, the planet is currently facing an El Niño year. This climate event boosts favorable hurricane conditions in the Pacific, such as warmer waters and less wind shear, or a change in wind speed or direction with altitude. During an El Niño year in the Atlantic, the opposite is true.
Kaynak: Nhc
