The weather system is forecast to pass far north of the Big Island this weekend.
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The storm formerly known as Tropical Depression Four-E has gained enough strength to reach tropical storm status, according to the Central Pacific Hurricane Center in its 11 p.m. update Wednesday.
Tropical Storm Ela is likely to be downgraded to a tropical depression tonight while still several hundred miles from Hawai’i.
Tropical Storm Ela was born in the western-most part of the Eastern Pacific Ocean but has become the Central Pacific’s first named storm. A storm has to have maximum sustained winds of at least 39 miles per hour to be considered a tropical storm and get a name.
As the trade wind flow cuts off, extreme muggy weather can be expected.
“We’re into July now, we are going to be heading toward the peak of hurricane season in August and September so this is the time of year we start seeing things fire up”, said Robert Ballard, National Weather Service science and operations officer. The surf will diminish rapidly late Saturday night as Ela weakens and passes northeast of the area. Storms that high in the troposphere, the lowest layer of Earth’s atmosphere, have the potential to drop heavy rain.
Interests in Hawaii should still continue to monitor the progress of this system, however.
Visitors to Hawaii should heed warnings from lifeguards and public health and safety officials, the Coast Guard said. Even the best swimmers can fall victim to the strong waves and currents caused by storms.
For example, Tropical Storm Upana developed on July 20, 2000, passing to the south of Hawaii before dissipating.
El Niño, with its warmer-than-average water temperatures in the tropical Pacific Ocean, began to ramp up during the latter half of 2014.
Tradewind weather will continue through Thursday and most of Friday across the state. The system was 950 miles southwest of Honolulu as of 5 p.m. Wednesday.
In the Eastern Pacific basin, forecasters were monitoring two areas of showers and thunderstorms off the coast of Mexico.
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National Weather Service Meteorologist Bob Ballard said on Twitter, “Often the biggest threat from depressions (aside from fantastic humidity) can be localized intense downpours & possibility for flooding”. They say having extra supplies and an emergency plan in place is always a good idea during hurricane season.
