Public Tropical Cyclone Advisory
820 WTPA32 PHFO 151148 TCPCP2 BULLETIN Tropical Storm Lala Intermediate Advisory Number 12A NWS Central Pacific Hurricane Center Honolulu HI CP012026 Issued by NWS National Hurricane Center Miami FL 200 AM HST Sat Aug 15 2026 ...TROPICAL-STORM-FORCE GUSTS OCCURRING ON THE BIG ISLAND OF HAWAII AS LALA APPROACHES... ...HEAVY RAINFALL AND FLOODING EXPECTED ACROSS THE HAWAIIAN ISLAND CHAIN THIS WEEKEND... SUMMARY OF 200 AM HST...1200 UTC...INFORMATION ---------------------------------------------- LOCATION...17.8N 154.0W ABOUT 140 MI...225 KM SE OF SOUTH POINT HAWAII ABOUT 350 MI...565 KM SE OF HONOLULU HAWAII MAXIMUM SUSTAINED WINDS...65 MPH...100 KM/H PRESENT MOVEMENT...WNW OR 285 DEGREES AT 13 MPH...20 KM/H MINIMUM CENTRAL PRESSURE...991 MB...29.27 INCHES WATCHES AND WARNINGS -------------------- CHANGES WITH THIS ADVISORY: None. SUMMARY OF WATCHES AND WARNINGS IN EFFECT: A Hurricane Warning is in effect for... * Hawaii County A Tropical Storm Warning is in effect for... * Maui County, including the islands of Maui, Lanai, Molokai and Kahoolawe * Oahu * Kauai County, including the islands of Kauai and Niihau A Hurricane Warning means that hurricane conditions are expected somewhere within the warning area. A warning is typically issued 36 hours before the anticipated first occurrence of tropical-storm-force winds, conditions that make outside preparations difficult or dangerous. Preparations to protect life and property should be rushed to completion. A Tropical Storm Warning means that tropical storm conditions are expected somewhere within the warning area within 36 hours. Interests in the Papahanaumokuakea Marine National Monument should monitor the progress of Lala. Tropical storm watches may be required for the eastern portion of that area later today. For storm information specific to your area, including possible inland watches and warnings, please monitor products issued by your local National Weather Service forecast office. DISCUSSION AND OUTLOOK ---------------------- At 200 AM HST (1200 UTC), the center of Tropical Storm Lala was located near latitude 17.8 North, longitude 154.0 West. Lala is moving toward the west-northwest near 13 mph (20 km/h). This general motion is expected to continue for the next couple of days, taking the core of Lala near the South Point of the Big Island of Hawaii on Saturday and then south of the smaller islands on Sunday. Maximum sustained winds are near 65 mph (100 km/h) with higher gusts. Steady strengthening is forecast, and Lala is expected to become a hurricane as it approaches the Big Island later today. A wind gust to 61 mph (98 km/h) was recently measured at Pu'u Mali on the northern slope of Mauna Kea on the Big Island of Hawaii. Tropical-storm-force winds extend outward up to 220 miles (350 km) from the center. The estimated minimum central pressure is 991 mb (29.27 inches). HAZARDS AFFECTING LAND ---------------------- Key messages for Tropical Storm Lala can be found in the Tropical Cyclone Discussion under AWIPS header HFOTCDCP2 and WMO header WTPA42 PHFO. WIND: Hurricane conditions are expected on the Big Island of Hawaii later today, with tropical storm conditions expected in Maui County tonight. Tropical storm conditions are expected on Oahu and Kauai County by Sunday morning. Wind speeds atop mountains and on the windward and leeward slopes are often up to 30 percent stronger than the near-surface winds indicated in this advisory, and in some elevated locations could be even greater. RAINFALL: Tropical Storm Lala is expected to produce rainfall totals of 10 to 20 inches across the Big Island, with locally higher amounts up to 25 inches possible. Rainfall totals of 8 to 12 inches are expected across Maui, with 4 to 6 inches and maximum amounts of 8 inches expected across the remainder of the island chain. This rainfall may produce life-threatening flooding and mudslides, especially in areas of steep terrain. For a complete depiction of forecast rainfall associated with Lala, please see the National Weather Service Storm Total Rainfall Graphic available at hurricanes.gov/graphics_cp2.shtml?rainqpf STORM SURGE: The combination of a dangerous storm surge and the tide will cause normally dry areas near the coast to be flooded by rising waters moving inland from the shoreline. The water could reach the following heights above ground somewhere in the indicated areas if the peak surge occurs at the time of high tide... Hawaii...1 to 3 ft The deepest water will occur along the immediate coast, where the surge will be accompanied by large and dangerous waves. Surge-related flooding depends on the relative timing of the surge and the tidal cycle, and can vary greatly over short distances. For information specific to your area, please see products issued by your local National Weather Service forecast office. For a complete depiction of areas at risk of storm surge inundation, please see the National Weather Service Peak Storm Surge Graphic, available at hurricanes.gov/graphics_cp2.shtml?peakSurge. SURF: Swells generated by Lala are steadily building along east-facing shores and will continue to increase through the weekend. Swells will also build along exposed southern shores as Lala passes south of the islands. These swells are likely to cause life-threatening surf and rip current conditions. Please consult products from your local weather office. NEXT ADVISORY ------------- Next complete advisory at 500 AM HST.