![\"Hawaii](\"https:\/\/ialert.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/ialert-hawaii-hurricane-lala-radar-warnings-august-16-2026.jpg\")
\n radar and warning analysis for Hawaii Hurricane Lala at 11:00 PM HST Saturday, August 15, 2026. The hurricane
\n center (orange H) sits offshore southwest of the Big Island, and the forecast position at 8:00 AM Sunday (green
\n S) is already back at tropical storm strength. Red outlines the Hurricane Warning for Hawaii County, green the
\n Flash Flood Warning over the southeast Big Island, and blue the Tropical Storm Warnings for Maui County, Oahu,
\n and Kauai County. Data: NOAA NHC\/CPHC and NOAA NWS radar.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
Hawaii Hurricane Lala passed the Big Island offshore overnight and is now weakening as it pulls away to the
\n west, but the flooding threat it left behind is still the dangerous part. The storm held 75 mph maximum
\n sustained winds at 8:00 PM HST Saturday, August 15, 2026, with the center about 55 miles west of South Point,
\n according to the National Hurricane Center’s Intermediate Advisory Number 15A. iAlert’s radar and warning
\n analysis at 11:00 PM HST placed the center still offshore southwest of the Big Island, with the official track
\n carrying Lala back below hurricane strength by 8:00 AM Sunday as damaging winds and heavy rain spread west
\n toward Oahu and Kauai County.<\/p>\n
Key points:<\/strong><\/p>\n Get Severe Weather Alerts for When any NWS watch, warning, or advisory is issued Sign At 8:00 PM HST Saturday, the NHC placed the center of Hawaii Hurricane Lala at approximately 19.1\u00b0N, 156.5\u00b0W, Hurricane-force winds were extending outward up to 45 miles from the center, and tropical-storm-force winds A Hurricane Warning remains in effect for Hawaii County. Tropical Storm Warnings cover Maui County, including One point matters for how the rest of Sunday plays out: the center never came ashore. At 11:00 PM HST the The NHC forecast 10 to 20 inches of rainfall across the Big Island, with isolated maximum totals up to 25 Earlier Saturday morning, NWS Honolulu issued a Flash Flood Warning for the island of Hawaii in Hawaii Along the coast, storm surge of 1 to 3 feet above ground is possible for Hawaii County, with the deepest The interaction between Hawaii Hurricane Lala and the Big Island’s terrain is a textbook case of orographic The erratic short-term motion during the closest approach reflects a well-documented phenomenon: large The BBC framed Lala ahead of time as a potential first direct hurricane hit on Hawaii in 34 years, a If you are on the Big Island, the wind threat from Hawaii Hurricane Lala is easing but the water threat is Residents on Maui, Oahu, and Kauai still have time to prepare as tropical storm conditions from Hawaii No. The center of Hawaii Hurricane Lala tracked offshore, passing about 55 miles west of South Point at 8:00 The official track carries Hawaii Hurricane Lala back below hurricane strength by 8:00 AM HST Sunday, August The Big Island of Hawaii remains the highest-risk area from Hawaii Hurricane Lala. It is under a Hurricane The NHC forecast 10 to 20 inches of rainfall for the Big Island, with isolated maximum totals up to 25 inches No. Oahu is under a Tropical Storm Warning, not a Hurricane Warning. Tropical storm conditions are expected According to the 8:00 PM HST Saturday NHC advisory, tropical storm conditions from Hawaii Hurricane Lala are Sources:<\/strong><\/p>\n Get Severe Weather Alerts for When any NWS watch, warning, or advisory is issued Sign\n
\n County.<\/li>\n
\n tropical storm strength by Sunday morning.<\/li>\n
\n chain.<\/li>\n
\n Your Location<\/p>\n
\n for your area, iAlert sends you an immediate notification by email, text message, or phone call, 24 hours a day,
\n 7 days a week.<\/p>\n
\n Up for Severe Weather Alerts →<\/a>\n <\/div>\nHawaii Hurricane Lala: Warnings, Location, and Track<\/h2>\n
\n moving northwest at 10 mph. That position is consistent with the 55-mile figure in the advisory, and the
\n storm’s average motion since the 5:00 AM bulletin works out to roughly 10 mph toward the west-northwest. A
\n gradual westward turn with an increase in forward speed was forecast for Sunday, with the core of the storm
\n expected to remain south of the smaller main Hawaiian Islands and the easternmost Northwestern Hawaiian Islands
\n through the early part of next week.<\/p>\n
\n were reaching out to 175 miles. Earlier Saturday morning, at 5:00 AM HST, NHC Advisory Number 13 had placed Lala
\n about 110 miles southeast of South Point as a tropical storm with 65 mph winds, noting erratic short-term
\n motion as the circulation interacted with the island and that some strengthening was possible before and during
\n passage near the Big Island. By the 8:00 PM advisory, that strengthening had occurred, with Hawaii Hurricane
\n Lala confirmed as a hurricane.<\/p>\n
\n the islands of Maui, Lanai, Molokai, and Kahoolawe; Oahu; and Kauai County, including the islands of Kauai and
\n Niihau. The NHC noted that preparations to protect life and property on the Big Island should already be
\n complete.<\/p>\n
\n circulation was still over open water southwest of the Big Island, and the forecast track keeps it offshore as
\n it accelerates west. Hawaii Hurricane Lala delivered hurricane conditions to parts of Hawaii County without a
\n landfall. That distinction matters for what comes next: the strongest winds stayed over water, but the rainfall
\n totals do not care whether the center crossed the coast.<\/p>\nRainfall, Flooding, Storm Surge, and Surf Hazards from Hawaii Hurricane Lala<\/h2>\n
\n inches possible. Windward Maui could see an additional 8 to 12 inches, with 4 to 6 inches and maximum amounts up
\n to 8 inches forecast for the rest of the island chain. The NHC stated this rainfall will produce
\n life-threatening flooding and mudslides, especially in areas of steep terrain.<\/p>\n
\n County, with Doppler radar indicating heavy rain bands from Hawaii Hurricane Lala moving onshore across windward
\n and southeast portions of the Big Island. Rain was falling at a rate of 1 to 2.5 inches per hour, with
\n additional heavy bands anticipated over the Kau and Puna Districts. That warning was still plotted over the
\n southeast Big Island on the 11:00 PM HST iAlert analysis above, well after the center had moved past.<\/p>\n
\n inundation expected along the immediate shoreline, where surge will be accompanied by large and dangerous waves.
\n Swells generated by Hawaii Hurricane Lala are building westward across exposed windward and southern shores and
\n are likely to cause life-threatening surf and rip current conditions.<\/p>\nMeteorologist’s Take<\/h2>\n
\n amplification, meaning rainfall is intensified when air is forced up a mountainside. The NHC advisories
\n explicitly noted that wind speeds atop mountains and on windward and leeward slopes are often up to 30 percent
\n stronger than the near-surface winds in the advisory, and can be even greater in some elevated locations. With
\n peaks like Mauna Kea and Mauna Loa rising above 13,000 feet, the Big Island essentially acts as a wall that
\n forces storm winds and moisture sharply upward, concentrating rainfall on windward slopes.<\/p>\n
\n volcanic islands can temporarily disrupt a tropical cyclone’s low-level circulation, causing wobbles in the
\n track. The forecast westward acceleration on Sunday, with the storm remaining south of the smaller islands, is
\n consistent with the storm clearing the terrain influence of the Big Island and responding more directly to the
\n large-scale flow. Weakening back below hurricane strength by Sunday morning does not end the threat, because the
\n rainfall and surf hazards travel with the circulation regardless of whether the peak wind is 75 mph or 65
\n mph.<\/p>\n
\n reference to Hurricane Iniki, which struck Kauai in September 1992. That outcome did not happen. The center
\n tracked offshore, and the hurricane-force wind field never fully covered a populated island. It is worth being
\n precise about that, because “first hurricane strike since Iniki” and “first hurricane to bring hurricane
\n conditions to the state since Iniki” are different claims and only the second one holds up. The Central Pacific
\n still sees far fewer landfalling hurricanes than the Atlantic or Gulf Coast, so preparedness and infrastructure
\n face a steep test whenever a storm of this intensity gets close.<\/p>\nHow to Stay Safe During Hawaii Hurricane Lala<\/h2>\n
\n not. Flooding and debris flows routinely peak hours after a tropical system’s closest approach, once saturated
\n slopes give way and streams crest. Do not drive through flooded roads: the NWS reports that more than half of
\n flood-related drownings involve a vehicle driven into hazardous water. If you live near a stream, drainage
\n channel, or steep slope, move to higher ground without waiting for water to rise.<\/p>\n
\n Hurricane Lala spread westward through Sunday. Secure loose outdoor items, charge devices, and store enough
\n water and supplies for several days. Stay away from beaches and coastal areas: the NHC has flagged
\n life-threatening surf and rip current conditions across exposed shores. Monitor the latest advisories through
\n your active weather alerts on iAlert<\/a> and your local NWS
\n forecast office.<\/p>\nHawaii Hurricane Lala FAQ<\/h2>\n
Did Hurricane Lala make landfall in Hawaii?<\/h3>\n
\n PM HST Saturday and remaining over open water as it moved away to the west. Parts of Hawaii County still
\n experienced hurricane conditions, but the storm did not come ashore.<\/p>\nWhen does Hurricane Lala weaken to a tropical storm?<\/h3>\n
\n 16, as it accelerates west and away from the island chain. The NHC noted the possibility of some restrengthening
\n over open water early the following week.<\/p>\nWhere is the highest risk from Hurricane Lala right now?<\/h3>\n
Where is the highest risk from Hurricane Lala right now?<\/h3>\n
\n Warning, and flash flooding, mudslides, storm surge, and dangerous surf continue there even as the center pulls
\n away and winds ease.<\/p>\nHow much rain could Hurricane Lala drop on the Big Island?<\/h3>\n
\n possible, enough to produce life-threatening flooding and mudslides in steep terrain.<\/p>\nIs Oahu under a hurricane warning?<\/h3>\n
\n on Oahu overnight Saturday and into Sunday.<\/p>\nWhen will Hurricane Lala affect Kauai?<\/h3>\n
\n expected to reach Kauai County through the day Sunday as the storm moves westward past the island chain.<\/p>\n\n
\n Intermediate Advisory Number 15A, 8:00 PM HST August 15, 2026<\/a><\/li>\n
\n Honolulu: Flash Flood Warning for Hawaii County, August 15, 2026<\/a><\/li>\n
\n Advisory Number 13, 5:00 AM HST August 15, 2026<\/a><\/li>\n
\n Pacific Tropical Weather Outlook, August 15, 2026<\/a><\/li>\n
\n Outlook, August 15, 2026<\/a><\/li>\n
\n potential first direct hit by a hurricane in 34 years<\/a><\/li>\n
\n lashed by rain and wind as Tropical Storm Lala closes in<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
\n Your Location<\/p>\n
\n for your area, iAlert sends you an immediate notification by email, text message, or phone call, 24 hours a day,
\n 7 days a week.<\/p>\n
\n Up for Severe Weather Alerts →<\/a>\n <\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"