![]() Will you support Vox’s explanatory journalism? We already know many storms are made wetter by climate change, and the science predicts that bigger and more powerful storms will become more frequent in the future. Scientists will have to do careful work to model whether this storm was made bigger and more powerful by climate change. But it’s also the case that the Pacific waters around the islands are about a degree Fahrenheit warmer than usual, which is helping to fuel Lane’s powerful wind speeds. From there, Hawaii is just a tiny target, a speck in the sea.Īs CNN reports, a named storm passes within 60 miles of Hawaii every four years or so. Pacific hurricanes often begin as storm systems off the west coast of Mexico. One reason is that when hurricanes form in the Atlantic, they can hit anywhere along the enormous American coastline. We’re more familiar with Atlantic hurricanes, which hit the US more often. With Lane, forecasters are predicting 2 to 4 feet of storm surge and “large and destructive waves.” Zachary Crockett/Vox Only two tropical storms and two hurricanes have made landfall in Hawaii since 1959 The deadliest aspect of a hurricane tends to be the coastal flooding that comes from storm surge. But Lane is currently sustaining 130 mph winds, which can destroy homes, uproot trees, and knock out power for months.Īnd as we saw last year with Hurricanes Harvey and Maria, even a downgraded hurricane or tropical storm can cause massive destruction and chaos. David Ige has issued an emergency proclamation to prepare and access emergency disaster funding.Īs with any hurricane, you shouldn’t focus solely on wind speed - the storm surge and rain matter too. Even if the center of Lane remains offshore, severe impacts could still be realized as they extend well away from the center.Īnd here, see when forecasters predict tropical storm-force winds are expected to arrive for the area (times are in local Hawaii-Aleutian Time, or HST): Although the official forecast does not explicitly indicate Lane’s center making landfall over any of the islands, this could still occur. Do not focus on the exact forecast track or intensity of Lane, and be prepared for adjustments to the forecast. Large and damaging surf can be expected along exposed shorelines, especially along south and west facing coasts, with localized storm surge exacerbating the impacts of a prolonged period of damaging surf.Ĥ. This is expected to lead to life-threatening flash flooding and landslides over all Hawaiian Islands.ģ. The slow movement of Lane also greatly increases the threat for prolonged heavy rainfall and extreme rainfall totals. These winds can be accelerated over and downslope from elevated terrain, and will be higher in high rise buildings.Ģ. Lane will pass dangerously close to the main Hawaiian Islands as a hurricane Thursday and Friday, and is expected to bring damaging winds. Here’s what the weather service wants Hawaii residents to know:ġ. A watch means hurricane conditions are possible within the next 48 hours. A hurricane warning means that hurricane conditions are imminent and preparations should be rushed to completion. Here is the current forecast track, from the Central Pacific Hurricane Center. “Now is the time to complete all preparations to protect life and property,” the Weather Service warns. Tropical storm- and hurricane-force winds may reach the Big Island (the largest and easternmost island) by Thursday morning, local time, followed by feet of rain, flooding, storm surge, and, possibly, landslides. “Regardless of the exact track of the storm center, life threatening impacts are likely over some areas as this strong hurricane makes its closest approach.” “The center of Lane will track dangerously close to the islands Thursday through Saturday,” the National Weather Service’s Honolulu office reports. In any case: It’s a potentially scary situation for the islands’ 1.4 million inhabitants, given the size of the storm and the impact it could have. Meanwhile, the path Lane is taking is slowing down, meaning the storm may linger over the islands, drenching them with rain. ![]() It’s expected to weaken over the next two days, but will remain a dangerous situation, the National Weather Service warns. It’s unclear if Hurricane Lane - which is currently howling with 130 mph winds - will just graze the islands as it approaches on Thursday or if it will make landfall. But due to high-pressure weather patterns over the central Pacific, and a lot of deep, cool water around the islands, tropical storms usually steer clear. Hawaii is no stranger to natural hazards like volcanic eruptions (remember Kilauea?). Some areas on the Big Island have already seen a foot of rain from the outer bands of the storm. ![]() ![]() The state of Hawaii is facing a rare threat: A major hurricane is moving toward it, with hurricane watches and warnings in effect for most of the islands. ![]()
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