Tropical storm could approach Hawaii this weekend
A tropical depression or storm is expected to form southeast of Hawaii this week and could approach the island chain over the weekend, although its exact track and peak strength remain uncertain.
The system, designated Invest 93C, was located about 1,100 miles east-southeast of the Hawaiian Islands on Monday, according to the National Hurricane Center (NHC). The broad area of low pressure was nearly stationary and producing disorganized showers and thunderstorms.
Environmental conditions are expected to support further development as the system begins moving west-northwestward or northwestward across the Central Pacific. The NHC gives it a 50% chance of becoming a tropical depression or storm within 48 hours and a 90% chance over the next seven days.
Computer models have consistently shown the system organizing into a tropical depression before strengthening into Tropical Storm Lala later this week. Its closest pass to Hawaii is expected this weekend, but forecasts range from a tropical storm to a hurricane.
Levi Cowan of Tropical Tidbits said there is high confidence that a storm will form but significant uncertainty over how it could affect Hawaii. Invest 93C is embedded within a long trough, and models have struggled to determine where along it the storm will consolidate.
A ridge developing to the north is expected to turn the system generally westward toward Hawaii, but it remains unclear how close it will come to the islands.
The NHC said people in Hawaii should closely monitor the system. Cowan said it is too early to determine the potential impacts, but people should have a hurricane plan ready while the forecast takes shape.
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Ella Rae Greene, Editor In Chief
