Tropical storm watch: When will storm Hone reach Hawaii?

Hone is the eighth named storm of the Pacific hurricane season currently located around 550 miles southeast of the Big Island. However, it is the first tropical storm to form in the Central Pacific since 2019 and Hone is currently grinding its way toward Hawaii.

The cyclone according to the latest meteorological report as of 11 pm HST has maximum sustained winds of around 60 mph with some stronger gusts according to the National Hurricane Center. Winds packing tropical-storm force extend outward from the tempest’s center up to 115 miles.

Tropical storm watch: When will storm Hone reach Hawaii?

Tropical Storm Hone is pushing west-northwest at close to 14 mph and on its forecast track will probably pass during Saturday night or early Sunday near or south of the Big Island. However, the storm’s winds will likely be felt as early as Saturday afternoon within the warning area and linger into Sunday.

The meteorological agency warns that “winds are expected to be strongest where they blow downslope from higher terrain, over headlands, and through passes.”

Rainfall associated with Hone is forecast to total between 5 and 10 inches mainly affecting windward and southeast facing slopes of the Big Island. Some areas may receive higher amounts. On the smaller islands, between 2 and 4 inches may fall, again on the windward slopes.

The National Hurricane Center warns that the storm will produce life-threatening surf and rip currents as large swells spread first around the eastern end of the Hawaiian Islands Friday night and then across the other portions of the island chain on Saturday and through Sunday.

Over the next 48 hours it is expected to strengthen reaching hurricane status by Sunday through Monday at which time it will be southwest of the Big Island. The estimated central pressure of Hone, currently 998 mb, continues to drop.