Tropical Storm Hone Spaghetti Models as Warnings Issued for Hawaii

Most forecast models show Tropical Storm Hone impacting Hawaii in its path through the Pacific Ocean, as weather warnings have been issued for the Aloha State.
The Pacific Hurricane Season—not to be mistaken for the Atlantic Hurricane Season, which typically produces storms that more frequently impact the U.S.—has seen heightened activity, with seven named storms already. Hurricane Gilma, which formed in the Pacific on Wednesday, is the ocean’s second hurricane of the season, although the storm is unlikely to have direct impact on land.
Tropical Storm Hone formed in the Central Pacific, and the National Weather Service (NWS) expects it to strengthen into a hurricane by late Sunday. The system’s strength is expected to remain as a tropical storm as it passes by Hawaii this weekend, and meteorologists are beginning to issue a slew of warnings advising Hawaiians about the expected impacts.
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As of Friday afternoon, a tropical storm warning was in place in the waters surrounding Hawaii. Maximum sustained wind speeds for Hone were measured at 46 mph, according to the National Hurricane Center (NHC). A tropical storm watch is in place for the Big Island, with a small craft advisory in place for the other islands.
Most spaghetti models, or computer models illustrating potential storm paths, show the storm passing south of Hawaii as it approaches the island. Some models show a direct impact.
“Tropical Storm Hone, located about 620 miles east-southeast of Hilo at 5 am HST, is expected to gradually strengthen and continue moving toward the west over the next couple of days,” the NWS said in a recent update. “The latest forecast track brings the center of Hone near or south of the Big Island from Saturday night into Sunday morning as a strong tropical storm. Hone will then strengthen to a Hurricane late Sunday into Monday as it passes south of Kauai and Oahu.”
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NWS meteorologist John Bravender told Newsweek that rain will be a threat for the Big Island, particularly for the east and southeast sides of the island. However, there is little threat of storm surge flooding, although flooding could occur from heavy rain.
Powerful winds associated with the storm are also expected to strike the Big Island by Saturday night. NWS meteorologists warned that the hazardous winds could damage infrastructure like porches, awnings, carports or sheds. Winds also could snap large tree limbs, with some trees succumbing to the storm as well. Debris might make roads impassable, and there could be “scattered power and communication outages.”
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AccuWeather senior meteorologist John Feerick previously told Newsweek that gusty winds associated with the storm could fuel wildfire activity in Hawaii, given the state’s drought conditions.
Meteorologists also are tracking Hurricane Gilma, a major hurricane moving through the Pacific, east of Hone. Gilma also is headed in the direction of Hawaii, but the system isn’t expected to reach the state until the end of the month, if it remains organized for that long.