This week, hurricane forecasters are closely observing a tropical system developing in the Pacific, which has people in Hawaii on edge, especially following last year’s devastating wildfire on Maui that caused numerous fatalities.

According to the Central Pacific Hurricane Center, “A significant area of scattered showers and thunderstorms is linked to two disturbances in the western East Pacific. These disturbances are expected to combine either today or tonight, leading to gradual development afterward.”

The hurricane center further noted, “A tropical depression is anticipated to form within a couple of days as the system proceeds west-northwestward into the Central Pacific late Wednesday or early Thursday.”

Just last year, the severe winds from the far-off Hurricane Dora contributed to the spread of catastrophic wildfires on Maui that resulted in over 100 deaths.

“If a fully formed tropical storm or hurricane passes just south of the islands without supplying any rain, it would create strong dry winds that could significantly increase wildfire risk, which would be a worst-case scenario,” explained DaSilva.

System may approach Hawaii by the weekend

The system is predicted to move slowly north in the upcoming days, eventually speeding up into the Central Pacific by the week’s end.

Alex DaSilva, leading hurricane expert at AccuWeather, stated in an online forecast that “This system will generally follow a west-northwest course, bringing it nearer to Hawaii by this weekend.”

Long-term weather predictions indicate a “greater likelihood of development” in the waters south-east of Hawaii this week, Hawaii News Now reported.

Hawaii News Now also mentioned, “The precise path of the system remains uncertain. While many models predict it will remain south of us, Hawaii Island is expected to face the most significant effects.”

What name will the storm get?

If a named tropical storm emerges, its designation will depend on where it develops: Hawaii News Now states that if it organizes over the Eastern Pacific, it will be named “Hector.” If it forms over the Central Pacific, it will receive the Hawaiian name “Hone.”

First Central Pacific storm of this season

This storm could mark the first named event of the Central Pacific hurricane season.

Federal meteorologists project a total of 1–4 tropical cyclones for the 2024 Central Pacific hurricane season. For reference, a normal season typically sees between 4 to 5 tropical cyclones, which includes tropical depressions, storms, and hurricanes.