Hurricane forecasters track 9 systems across Atlantic, Pacific
Hurricane forecasters were tracking nine storms or potential systems across the Atlantic and Pacific, signaling peak activity as the season unfolds. A weakening Moke was passing south of Hawaii, while Lala remained a long-lived tropical storm in the Central Pacific, and Iselle formed off Mexico with potential brief hurricane-strength during its northwest movement. In the Pacific, several disturbances near Moke and Iselle carried development uncertainty, with one area forecast to become a tropical depression within days. In the Atlantic, a disturbance southeast of Bermuda and a tropical wave off Africa drew attention for possible short-term formation, even as El Niño conditions temper Atlantic storm development. Officials cautioned that dynamics remain volatile and that some systems could still intensify or shift course in the coming days and weeks.
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Nine storms or potential systems were being monitored on Aug. 24, with seven in the Pacific and two in the Atlantic, reflecting a burst of activity typical for hurricane season’s peak.
Moke weakened from a tropical storm to a tropical depression and passed about 300 miles south of Hawaii, with forecasts calling for heavy rain and gusts up to 55 mph on the Big Island and 45 mph on Oahu and Kauai.
Rain totals on parts of the Big Island could reach 15 inches, raising the threat of life-threatening flooding and mudslides, especially in areas previously affected by Lala.
Lala remained a tropical storm after 12 days, with winds around 65 mph as it moved roughly 1,300 miles northwest of Honolulu.
Iselle formed off the Mexican coast with 60 mph winds and was forecast to briefly strengthen before weakening to a tropical depression within five days, staying away from land.
Several Pacific disturbances near Iselle or west of the Hawaiian Islands carried development probabilities, including a 70% chance of a system forming within seven days and another area with a 30% chance of becoming a tropical cyclone.
In the Atlantic, an area about 400 miles southeast of Bermuda showed signs of organization and had a 50% formation chance over 48 hours and seven days, while a tropical wave off Africa was being watched for potential tropical-depression development as it moves westward.