Tropical Storm Lala formed about 1,000 miles southeast of the Big Island of Hawaii and is forecast to approach the islands this weekend, prompting a hurricane watch for Hawaii County. AccuWeather says Lala could strengthen into a hurricane before brushing or potentially tracking over the Big Island, with the storm center currently expected to pass just south of the island chain but subject to shift. Lala’s showers and thunderstorms extend hundreds of miles and forecasters expect dangerous surf, flash flooding, and locally damaging winds as it strengthens over warm waters. AccuWeather forecasts a broad area receiving 2 to 8 inches of rain with a Local StormMax of 24 inches on the Big Island and peak wind gusts up to 85 mph. Torrential rain and flash flooding are cited as the greatest risks, including heavy downpours on leeward trade-wind rain-shadowed slopes. Rain and gusty winds are expected to begin across the Big Island Friday and spread northwestward through the weekend. AccuWeather rated Lala a 1 on its RealImpact Scale for Hawaii and compared the threat to Hurricane Hone in August 2024, which brought 70 mph winds and about 2 feet of rain while passing just south of the Big Island.
