Severe weather approaching Hawaiian Islands with rain predicted to hit Kaua‘i on Sunday

Severe weather approaching the Hawaiian Islands is expected to become a tropical storm within the next day, and forecasters list a 90% chance that it will develop into a tropical cyclone within the next 48 hours.

“A hurricane or tropical storm warning will likely be required for these islands by early Thursday,” according to a public advisory from the National Weather Service.

The weather system is 935 miles east-southeast of Hilo on the Big Island and 1,140 miles east-southeast of Honolulu. Heavy rainfall is anticipated to hit Kaua‘i by Aug. 16.

The disturbance is moving toward the west at about 10 mph. On the forecast track, the center of the system will be nearing the Hawaiian Islands by late Friday. Maximum sustained winds are currently 35 mph with higher gusts.

“While a tropical cyclone has not yet formed, environmental conditions are conducive for further development, and a tropical depression or storm is expected to form on Wednesday,” said information from the National Weather Service in Honolulu. “The disturbance is expected to move generally northwestward across the Central Pacific and toward the vicinity of the Hawaiian Islands later this week and into the weekend.”

Heavy rainfall associated with the system is expected to begin to impact the Big Island Friday, spreading westward into Maui on Saturday, and across Lana‘i, Moloka‘i, O‘ahu and Kaua‘i on Sunday. This rainfall may produce life-threatening flooding and mudslides, especially in areas of steep terrain, according to the advisory.

This is a developing story. More information will be provided as it becomes available.