Two tropical cyclones, Hurricane Iona and Tropical Storm Keli, have formed in the central Pacific Ocean, raising concerns but currently posing no direct threat to the Hawaiian Islands. Hurricane Iona, the first named storm of the season in the central Pacific, rapidly intensified from a tropical depression to a Category 3 hurricane before weakening. As of Tuesday, it was located approximately 790 miles south-southeast of Honolulu, with maximum sustained winds near 115 mph.
Hurricane Iona's Trajectory and Impact
The National Hurricane Center forecasts Iona to move westward over the next couple of days, with gradual weakening expected to begin by Wednesday. While additional strengthening was initially predicted, the storm's intensity has since peaked. Forecasters emphasize that no coastal watches or warnings are currently in effect for Hawaii.
Although Hurricane Iona is not expected to make direct landfall, indirect effects, such as downward pressure winds, could create dry and breezy conditions in the islands. These conditions are similar to those experienced during Hurricane Dora in August 2023, which exacerbated the devastating wildfires in Lahaina. However, officials reassure the public that the current situation is not as severe as it was during Hurricane Dora.
Tropical Storm Keli's Formation
Simultaneously, Tropical Storm Keli has formed further south, with maximum sustained winds of 40 mph. As of Tuesday, Keli was located about 960 miles southeast of Honolulu and moving west at approximately 12 mph. While Keli is also not expected to directly impact Hawaii, its presence adds to the overall weather activity in the central Pacific.
- Hurricane Iona: Category 3, moving west, weakening expected.
- Tropical Storm Keli: Moving west, no direct impact anticipated.
- Hawaii: No immediate threat, but monitoring continues.
The eastern Pacific has already experienced several named storms this season, including Erick and Flossie, which reached Category 3 strength. Forecasters at Colorado State University predict an above-average Atlantic hurricane season as well.