Honolulu is heading into a mostly sunny but increasingly windy Friday as Tropical Storm Lala approaches the Hawaiian Islands. Oahu could see tropical-storm conditions, heavy rain and dangerous surf beginning Saturday night and continuing through Sunday.
Friday’s high is expected to reach 87 degrees, with northeast winds between 14 and 22 mph and gusts up to 31 mph. The dry, breezy conditions will favor mostly sunny skies, though windward and mountain areas could see occasional showers.
The storm is expected to strengthen into a hurricane before moving near the Big Island and passing south of the island chain. The National Weather Service says impacts can extend well beyond the storm’s center, including across Honolulu and other parts of Oahu.
Saturday Night Brings The Biggest Shift
Rain chances rise to 60% Saturday, when Honolulu could reach 87 degrees with east-northeast winds of 23 to 26 mph and gusts up to 33 mph. Showers are likely, and the heat index could climb as high as 95 before conditions turn more unsettled.
By Saturday night, the forecast calls for a 90% chance of rain, with tropical-storm conditions possible and 2 to 3 inches of new rainfall in the local forecast period. A Tropical Storm Watch covers Honolulu, Kaimuki, Salt Lake and other Oahu communities, with peak winds forecast at 35 to 45 mph and gusts reaching 65 mph.
Flooding And Surf Threats Continue Sunday
Sunday remains the most concerning day for Oahu, with tropical-storm conditions possible, thunderstorms and an 80% chance of rain. Some storms could produce heavy downpours, while rainfall totals of 3 to 6 inches are possible, with locally higher amounts.
A Flood Watch is scheduled to begin Saturday evening and continue through late Sunday night, especially for flood-prone roads, low-lying areas and places with poor drainage. The NWS Honolulu advises residents to monitor updated warnings, secure loose outdoor items, avoid driving through floodwater and keep multiple ways to receive emergency alerts.
Conditions should gradually improve Monday, when isolated showers are expected before partly sunny skies return. Trade winds will remain breezy through the middle of next week, but rain chances drop sharply after the storm moves west.
