Hawaii faces another tropical threat one week after Hurricane Lala
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Hawaii could face another tropical system just a week after Hurricane Lala. The National Hurricane Center is watching an area that could follow a similar path.

Jennifer GrayMiriam Guthrie
ByJennifer GrayandMiriam Guthrie
3 hours agoUpdated: August 19, 2026, 3:21 pm EDTPublished: August 19, 2026, 12:00 am EDT

Another tropical threat takes aim at Hawaii

As Hawaii continues to clean up after Hurricane Lala, the island chain is bracing for another potential tropical system that could follow a similar path.

(MORE: Hurricane Lala cleanup begins in Hawaii, 100 Big Island homes damaged)

The National Hurricane Center is watching another area in the Pacific that is likely to develop into a tropical depression in the next day or so as it moves towards the islands.

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Advisories could be issued for Hawaii as early as Thursday.

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Where is the storm right now?

Right now, this area of interest, also known as Invest 90E, is a disorganized cluster of thunderstorms well southeast of Hawaii. However, the system is entering a more favorable environment and will likely develop by the end of the week. 

Currently, the system is traveling to the west-northwest at 10 to 15 mph.

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What are the forecast models showing?

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Right now there’s still some spread on the forecast models, which is common this far out. However, you see a few models do take the system quite close to the islands. 

Just like we saw with Lala, even if the storm tracks a little south of Hawaii, there could still be significant impacts, especially without much time to dry out. 

Parts of the Big Island just received as much as 35 to 40 inches of rain from Lala, so it won’t take much more rain for another tropical system to create even bigger problems. 

Moke, Iselle or Julio?

If this area develops into a tropical storm or hurricane, the name is still uncertain.

The key lies in where the storm forms. If the storm forms west of 140 degrees West longitude, it will get the next Central Pacific name, which is "Moke." While this seems like the most likely scenario, there are two other possible names it could be given.

If it forms east of 140 degrees West longitude, it could get either "Iselle" or "Julio," depending on whether it or another area the NHC is watching in the eastern Pacific forms first.

What are the threats to Hawaii?

It’s still too early to know the exact impacts this next system will have on Hawaii, but here are the two possible scenarios. 

Scenario 1: The best-case scenario is that the system tracks too far south for significant impacts. The islands could still experience some rain, wind and rough surf; however, the impacts would be minimal. 

Scenario 2: The storm takes a similar track as Lala, either just south of the Big Island or over the island itself with more heavy rain, high winds and pounding surf. This scenario would be a double whammy for the Big Island, which is still trying to recover from Lala. 

Again, it’s too soon to pinpoint the amount of rain that will fall with this next system and the strength of winds that could be felt. 

Hurricane Hunters are planning to fly into the system on Friday; however, they could move that up a day if they feel it’s necessary. 

The bottom line is to check back often for details, and we will keep you informed with the latest information on the forecast track and impacts. 

If you live in Hawaii or plan to visit within the next week, make sure you make preparations now in case this becomes a bigger threat. 

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