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Hawaii Faces Third Tropical System This Week
24 Sep
Summary
- Hawaii braces for Tropical Depression Fifteen-E, expected to become major hurricane.
- Two previous tropical systems, Lala and Lowell, impacted islands this year.
- Fifteen-E could bring up to 35 inches of rain to the Big Island, causing flooding.
Hawaii is bracing for a significant tropical system, Tropical Depression Fifteen-E, which is anticipated to intensify into a major hurricane. This marks the third such system to impact the state this year, following hurricanes Lala and Lowell which brought heavy rain and power outages.
Currently possessing 35 mph winds, Fifteen-E is projected to become a tropical storm on Wednesday, reach hurricane strength by Thursday afternoon, and develop into a major hurricane by early Saturday morning. The storm's projected path will take it south of the Big Island.
Forecasters predict substantial rainfall, with the Big Island possibly receiving up to 35 inches, increasing the risk of catastrophic flooding and mudslides. Maui could see 5 to 10 inches, with isolated amounts up to 20 inches. The surrounding waters are under a hurricane warning, and residents are urged to prepare for potential hurricane-force winds.
The heightened activity is linked to a record-strengthening El Niño pattern, which influences increased hurricane activity in the Pacific basin due to warmer waters and reduced wind shear.
