Hawaii is bracing for heavy rains and winds from Tropical Storm Hone this weekend.
The National Weather Service (NWS) predicts that Hone will pass south of the Hawaiian Islands and briefly strengthen into a hurricane southwest of Hawaii late Sunday night into Monday, the weather service said.
Weather experts warn that Hone could bring the risk of wildfires, especially if strong winds occur in certain areas and there is no rain.
“If Hone loses its structure and some of the rainbands break apart, the leeward sides of the mountains could receive very little or no rain and instead a lot of wind, which could increase the risk of wildfires,” Alex DaSilva, AccuWeather’s lead hurricane expert, said Friday.
The NWS also said the National Hurricane Center is issuing warnings for Hurricane Gilma. The hurricane is currently located about 1,650 miles east of Hilo, Hawaii, the weather service said. Gilma poses less of a landfall threat than Hone and is “expected to weaken considerably before reaching Hawaii,” according to Accuweather.
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Hawaii prepares for Hone
Several warnings were in place for Hone on the island of Hawaii, including a tropical storm warning, a flood warning, a fire warning and a fire weather watch, the NWS office in Honolulu said Saturday.
In an update Friday afternoon, Hawaii County Mayor Mitch Roth said Hone is unlikely to cause a safety power shutoff (PSPS) by Hawaiian Electric, the local power company, due to wildfire danger. That’s because shutoffs typically require high winds, low humidity and dry conditions, he said in a video posted to social media. Instead, Hone will likely bring rain.
“There is a possibility, but not a strong probability, that a PSPS event will occur,” he said.
In anticipation of Hone’s passage, state authorities also closed campgrounds and hunting areas on Hawaii Island over the weekend.
“Everyone is urged to exercise caution and stay informed of current and forecast weather conditions,” the state said in a news release Friday. “Additional closures may occur without notice.”
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Ahjané Forbes is a reporter on USA TODAY’s National Trending Team. Ahjané covers breaking news, auto recalls, crime, health, lottery and public policy. Email her at [email protected]. Follow her on Instagram, Threads and X (Twitter) @forbesfineest
