Tropical Storm Lala formed Thursday in the Pacific Ocean, prompting forecasters to issue a hurricane warning for the Big Island of Hawaii, where it could bring heavy rain and flooding this weekend. The storm is expected to bring rain, high winds, and dangerous surf to the Hawaiian Islands starting late Friday.
A tropical storm watch has also been issued for Maui County, with tropical storm conditions possible within the next 36 to 48 hours. Lala was located about 555 miles east-southeast of Hawaii with maximum sustained winds of 60 mph and was moving west.
Forecasters anticipate Lala will strengthen into a hurricane as it approaches the Big Island, with landfall expected near the island on Saturday. A hurricane warning signifies that hurricane conditions are expected and is typically issued 36 hours before the potential arrival of tropical-storm-force winds.
The storm system could deliver rainfall totals ranging from 8 inches to a foot on Maui and the Big Island, with as much as 25 inches possible on the Big Island. These heavy rains could lead to life-threatening flooding and mudslides, according to the National Hurricane Center.
In other Pacific weather developments, Tropical Storm Hernan also formed Thursday but is not threatening any landmasses. Hernan was situated approximately 1,460 miles west of the southern tip of Mexico's Baja California peninsula, with maximum sustained winds near 45 mph as it moved west-southwest.
Meanwhile, in the Atlantic Ocean, former Tropical Storm Cristobal weakened into a post-tropical remnant low on Thursday. It was located about 500 miles west of the Azores and poses no threat to land.