Tropical Storm Lala is closing in on the Hawaiʻi Islands, threatening the state with hurricane-force conditions, destructive surf and potentially extreme rainfall through the weekend.
As of the latest National Hurricane Center advisory early August 15, Lala remained just below hurricane strength, with maximum sustained winds of 55 kt, or about 65 mph (100 km/h), and a central pressure near 995 hPa. A Hurricane Warning remains in effect for the Big Island.
The cyclone is forecast to pass near or just south of Hawaiʻi Island as it continues west-northwest across the central Pacific.
☀️🌴 Amazing sunny day in Waikīkī! People are enjoying the beach before Tropical Storm Lala arrives—or possibly becomes a Category 1 hurricane. 🌊🏄♂️ Stay safe and enjoy the beautiful weather! 🌺#Waikiki #Honolulu #Hawaii #TropicalStormLala #foxweather @foxweather @thekatiebyrne pic.twitter.com/XZM28sOddZ
— hawaii isla 808 (@hawaii_isla808) August 15, 2026
Extreme rainfall could be the biggest threat
Although damaging winds remain a serious concern, rainfall may produce the most dangerous impacts.
Emergency officials are preparing for around 8 to 12 inches (200 to 300 mm) of rain across Maui and the Big Island, while localized totals could reach 25 inches (635 mm) on Hawaiʻi Island.
Punaluu, HI on the Big Island is typically hot and dry. The surf is up and so are temperatures ahead of #lala The clouds from lala are off the coast seen here coming this way. pic.twitter.com/Q0r7iQWx5i
— Jim Cantore (@JimCantore) August 14, 2026
Such rainfall could become particularly dangerous over Hawaiʻi’s steep volcanic terrain. Water can rapidly funnel into streams, valleys and narrow drainage channels, producing life-threatening flash flooding and rapidly rising waterways.
Prolonged heavy rain may also saturate steep slopes, increasing the risk of mudslides, debris flows and rockfalls.
Lala is moving around the subtropical ridge
Meteorologically, Lala is moving west-northwest along the southern side of a subtropical ridge positioned to its north.
Warm central-Pacific waters have provided enough energy for gradual strengthening, while the upper-level environment has remained sufficiently favorable for organized thunderstorms to persist around the storm’s circulation.
The situation is growing more serious for Hawaii tonight as Tropical Storm Lala continues to organize.
— Backpirch Weather (@BackpirchCrew) August 14, 2026
If the NHC’s current forecast holds, then she will become the first Hurricane in 155 YEARS to strike the Big Island (where 1-2 FEET of life-threatening rainfall is possible). pic.twitter.com/oNkkK5vhFY
However, Lala had still not officially reached hurricane strength in the latest verified advisory.
Tropical-storm-force winds extend beyond the cyclone’s center, meaning hazardous conditions could reach Hawaiʻi even if Lala’s core remains just offshore.
Exposed slopes and higher terrain could experience locally stronger wind gusts as Hawaiʻi’s topography accelerates the flow.
Large swells generated by Lala are also expected to produce increasingly dangerous surf and strong rip currents along exposed eastern and southern shores.
The latest situation marks a significant escalation from when Meteo.Events first reported on Lala on August 13. At that stage, the cyclone had only recently formed with winds near 40 mph (64 km/h), and the Big Island was under a Hurricane Watch. Lala has since strengthened to 65 mph (100 km/h), the watch has been upgraded to a warning, and projected localized rainfall totals have increased to as much as 25 inches (635 mm).
With extreme rainfall, steep terrain, damaging winds and hazardous seas all occurring together, residents and visitors should continue following official warnings closely as Lala makes its closest approach to Hawaiʻi.
