Potential Tropical Cyclone One-C Threatens Hawaii With 20 Inches of Rain as Storm Nears Saturday
Updated
Updated · The Washington Post · Aug 13
Potential Tropical Cyclone One-C Threatens Hawaii With 20 Inches of Rain as Storm Nears Saturday
3 articles · Updated · The Washington Post · Aug 13
Summary
Up to 20 inches of rain could hit parts of Hawaii this weekend as Potential Tropical Cyclone One-C approaches the Big Island on Saturday, raising the risk of life-threatening flooding and mudslides.
The National Hurricane Center said the system, 775 miles southeast of Hilo early Thursday with 40 mph winds, has a 90% chance of becoming a tropical storm within 48 hours.
Dangerous conditions are expected to begin Friday night, with damaging winds, hazardous surf and rip currents likely; wind impacts will depend on the storm’s exact track and intensity.
Record-warm Pacific waters tied to El Niño and a broad North Pacific marine heat wave are loading the system with moisture, increasing the threat even if it never reaches hurricane strength.
Hawaii is still vulnerable after storms earlier this year caused damage expected to exceed $1 billion, and forecasters warn extreme ocean heat could fuel more threats through November.