Tropical Storm “Hone” moving just south of Hawaii, Tropical Storm Warning in Hawaii County

Tropical Storm “Hone” formed in the Pacific Ocean on Thursday, August 22, 2024, as the 8^th named storm of the 2024 Pacific hurricane season. The system is moving W just south of Hawaii, bringing strong winds and heavy rains.

• The potential for excessive rainfall and flash flooding on portions of the Big Island of Hawaii persists through Sunday as a large area of moisture associated with Hone moves through. The heaviest rainfall will likely occur over windward and southeast facing slopes.
• Tropical Storm conditions are expected on the Big Island beginning this evening (Saturday, LT) and continuing through early Sunday, August 25. Winds are expected to be strongest downslope of higher terrain, over headlands, and through passes.
• Swells generated by Hone will continue through Sunday as this system continues westward. Expect dangerous conditions with life-threatening surf and rip currents.

At 06:00 UTC on August 25, the center of Tropical Storm “Hone” was located about 168 km (105 miles) SSE of Hilo and 467 km (290 miles) SE of Honolulu, Hawaii.

The system had maximum sustained winds of 110 km/h (70 mph) and minimum central pressure of 991 hPa, moving W at 24 km/h (15 mph).

A Tropical Storm Warning is in effect for the Hawaii County.

A westward motion is expected to continue into Monday, August 26, with slight slowing expected early next week. Moderate strengthening is possible over the next 24 to 36 hours, with Hone holding near hurricane intensity.

Tropical storm conditions are expected on the Big Island tonight through early Sunday, with winds anticipated to be strongest downslope of higher terrain, over headlands, and through passes.

Hone is expected to produce a total rainfall of 150 – 300 mm (6 – 12 inches) over primarily windward and southeast-facing slopes of the Big Island, with locally higher amounts possible. Rainfall totals of 50 – 100 mm (2 – 4 inches) are expected over portions of the smaller islands, mainly windward.

Surf associated with large swells generated by Hone will persist through Sunday as the system moves westward. Dangerous conditions with life-threatening surf and rip currents are expected.

According to local media reports, electricity in some areas has been flickering, and in others had already been off for an extended period as Hone approached. Wind gusts near 80 km/h (50 mph) were already measured near Waimea, Waimea, Kohala Ranch, and Waikōloa on Saturday.

The National Weather Service in Honolulu has issued a Flood Watch for Big Island through Monday evening.

Flood-prone roads and other low-lying areas may be closed due to elevated runoff and overflowing streams, their meteorologists said, adding that urban areas may experience more significant flooding and property damage due to rapid runoff.

Most of the rainfall will impact the Hamakua, Hilo, Puna, and Kau Districts.

References:

¹ Tropical Storm Hone – Intermediate Advisory Number 11A – NWS/NHC – Issued at 06:00 UTC on August 25, 2024

² Flood Watch – NWS/Honolulu, HI – 02:08 UTC on August 25, 2024

³ More than ‘just another raining day’ on the Big Island: Hone starts to make an impact – Big Island Now – August 25, 2024

Teo Blašković

I'm a dedicated researcher, journalist, and editor at The Watchers. With over 20 years of experience in the media industry, I specialize in hard science news, focusing on extreme weather, seismic and volcanic activity, space weather, and astronomy, including near-Earth objects and planetary defense strategies. You can reach me at teo /at/ watchers.news.

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