Tropical Storm Lala Batters Hawaiian Islands, Brings Snow to Big Island
World
August 17, 2026. Hawaii
Tropical Storm Lala passed near Hawaii’s Big Island from August 15 to 16 without making a direct landfall. The storm gradually strengthened to typhoon strength before weakening back to tropical storm level on August 16. It currently has wind speeds of about 65 mph and is located roughly 140 miles west of Honolulu.
The storm affected Maui, Big Island, Oahu and Kauai counties, bringing heavy rainfall, strong winds, dangerous surf and localized flooding. The National Hurricane Center (NHC) forecasts an additional 1 to 4 inches of rain across the islands.
In an unusual event, the storm’s cold air combined with strong winds to bring snowfall to Mauna Kea, Big Island’s highest peak. The storm continues moving west of the islands and is forecast to strengthen again over the open central Pacific, possibly reaching hurricane or typhoon strength, but it is no longer expected to affect land.
(Source — NHC, NPR, Forbes)
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