Home Accuweather.com Atlantic Tropical Waves Build Development Potential as Tropical Storm Lala Threatens Hawaii

Atlantic Tropical Waves Build Development Potential as Tropical Storm Lala Threatens Hawaii

Aug 14, 2026

A tropical wave near the Lesser Antilles could open the door for future growth as a medium-risk area of development moves across the Atlantic Ocean right behind it.

AccuWeather hurricane experts expect the first wave, regardless of whether it develops further into a tropical depression or storm to dissipate west of the Lesser Antilles in the eastern Caribbean where it faces adverse conditions. In doing so, it could push dry air out of the region, paving the way for the next wave to form into a tropical system.

“This ‘coattail’ effect is how tropical waves tend to work during the peak hurricane season. One moves into the Main Development Region in the Atlantic, helping to clear out dry air and paving the way for greater development potential behind it,” said AccuWeather expert meteorologist Nicholas Arman. “It’s too early to say whether or not this second wave will really benefit from the less hostile conditions, but it is certainly a possibility.”

What AccuWeather Experts are Tracking

There is a high risk of tropical development in the open Atlantic Aug. 13-14. Even without further development into a tropical storm, it could bring needed rain to the region, including the U.S. Virgin Islands.
There is also a medium risk of tropical development in the open Atlantic west of the Cabo Verde Islands Aug. 14-17. This is the ‘second wave’ that could develop, thanks to the effect of the ‘first wave’.

Overnight Wednesday, Tropical Storm Cristobal lost wind intensity and became a tropical depression before losing all tropical characteristics in open waters of the Atlantic Ocean Thursday morning. It is no longer being tracked.

AccuWeather expert meteorologists anticipate the strengthening tropical rainstorm southeast of Hawaii will become Tropical Storm Lala as early as late Thursday morning (ET) and could strengthen into a hurricane this weekend, depending on its exact track.

“Whether Lala becomes a hurricane will depend on the exact track of the storm. A more southern track will lead to warmer waters for the storm to track over, along with less interaction with the Islands itself,” said AccuWeather Expert Meteorologist Nicholas Arman. “Should the storm track further south from the Big Island, there will be a greater chance of it becoming a hurricane. A storm closer to the Islands will likely have less potential of becoming a hurricane.”

No hurricane has made landfall on the Big Island of Hawaii since at least 1900. Only two named storms have made landfall on the Big Island during that time: Iselle in 2014 and Darby in 2016.

Due to the threats of flooding rain, strong winds and dangerous rip currents, the storm is rated a 1 on the AccuWeather RealImpact™ Scale for Hurricanes in Hawaii.

“One storm that closely resembles this tropical rainstorm was Hurricane Hone in late August of 2024. Hone passed about 50 miles south of the Big Island as a Category 1 hurricane.” explained AccuWeather Lead Hurricane Expert Alex DaSilva. “Despite never making landfall in Hawaii, Hone brought more than 2 feet of rain to portions of the Big Island, causing significant flooding, as well as winds in excess of 70 mph.”

What AccuWeather Expert Meteorologists Are Tracking

Rain: 4 to 8 inches across Maui and the Big Island, with 8 to 12 inches across northern and eastern portions of the Big Island and an AccuWeather Local StormMax™ of 24 inches.
Wind: Widespread gusts of 40 to 60 mph, with 60 to 80 mph gusts possible on portions of the Big Island. The AccuWeather Local StormMax™ is 85 mph.
Flooding: Heavy rain could trigger flash flooding and mudslides, particularly in higher terrain.
Coastal impacts: Dangerous surf and rip currents are expected late this week through the weekend. Storm surge of 1 to 3 feet is expected along the Big Island, with an AccuWeather Local StormMax™ of 6 feet.

The first bands of rain and gusty winds are expected to reach the Big Island Friday afternoon, with impacts spreading across the Hawaiian Islands through the weekend. Small changes in Lala’s track could significantly alter where the heaviest rain and strongest winds occur.

Lala comes amid an active eastern Pacific hurricane season as El Niño continues to strengthen. As of Aug. 13, eight named storms and two hurricanes had formed, including Category 5 Hurricane Genevieve. Fausto had been the only named storm this season to travel as far west as Hawaii’s longitude, passing well north of the islands in late July.

AccuWeather RealImpact™ Scale for Hurricanes
In contrast to the Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Wind Scale, which classifies storms by wind speed only, the AccuWeather RealImpact™ Scale for Hurricanes is based on a broad range of important factors. In order to better communicate a more comprehensive representation of the potential impact of a storm to lives and livelihoods, the scale covers not only wind speed but also flooding rain, storm surge and economic damage and loss.

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