Two tropical cyclones have formed southeast of Hawaii, but officials do not anticipate any direct impacts on the islands. Hurricane Iona, having intensified from a tropical depression to a Category 1 hurricane in just one day, is located about 870 miles southeast of Honolulu. It features maximum sustained winds of 75 mph and is moving westward. Derek Wroe from the National Weather Service noted that while there will be dry and breezy conditions due to downward pressure winds from the hurricane, the expected effects will be significantly less severe than those experienced during Hurricane Dora in August 2023.
The winds associated with Iona may reach localized gusts of over 40 mph, but these are not anticipated to match the dangerous gusts observed in the wake of Hurricane Dora, where some areas experienced winds surpassing 60 mph. Currently, there are no coastal watches or warnings in effect for Hawaii.
In addition to Hurricane Iona, Tropical Storm Keli has also formed, situated approximately 1,090 miles southeast of Honolulu with winds of 40 mph. Keli is expected to weaken later in the week, similarly to Iona.
The Hawaii Emergency Management Agency is actively monitoring both storms and held a statewide conference call to ensure coordination among all counties. While small swells from the storms could reach the shores, a more substantial swell generated further east near New Zealand is expected to arrive in Hawaii around Thursday. This swell could produce surf heights of 10 feet or higher, potentially leading to a high surf advisory, though it is not directly related to the tropical systems.
Overall, the situation appears manageable for Hawaii as both storms are forecasted to weaken without causing significant issues for the islands. This is a relief after the devastating impact of Hurricane Dora, which resulted in the deadliest fire disaster in the U.S. for over a century. The proactive approach taken by local authorities reinforces community preparedness in facing natural weather phenomena.