NHC is tracking Tropical Storm Iona, 3 other systems in Pacific
Forecasters are currently keeping tabs on four systems in the Pacific, including Tropical Storm Iona, the hurricane center said in a July 28 advisory.
Iona, located about 915 miles southeast on Honolulu, Hawaii, has maximum sustained winds near 50 mph with higher gusts, and is expected to strengthen some in the next 48 hours, the NHC said late Sunday night.
"Steady strengthening is forecast tonight and Monday, with Iona forecast to become a hurricane by Monday night," the July 27 advisory said. "Some weakening is expected to begin by late Tuesday or Tuesday night."
According to AccuWeather, while no direct impacts are expected to the Hawaiian Islands, Iona will cause gusty winds that could increase wildfire risks on the islands through this week.
'Gusty trade winds can start to pick up across the Hawaiian Islands on Tuesday and can last through the end of the week and into the start of next weekend," according to AccuWeather Lead Hurricane Expert Alex DaSilva.
AccuWeather forecasts that the increased trade winds combined with moderate or greater drought conditions across over half of the Hawaiian Islands will "heighten the wildfire risk," as the dry grass and vegetation will provide "plenty of fuel for any fire that sparks."
There are currently no coastal watches or warnings in effect and no hazards affecting land, according to the hurricane center.
Hurricane season to ramp up: Hurricane season warning signs pile up. Brace for a dangerous August.
NHC keeping tabs on three other systems in Pacific
The hurricane center said an area of low pressure located well east-southeast of the Hawaiian Islands is producing "disorganized showers and thunderstorms."
Gradual development of this system is possible and a tropical depression could form during the next couple of days as the system moves generally westward. The NHC gives this system a 40% chance of formation through the next seven days.
A second disturbance is currently located several hundred miles south-southwest of the Gulf of Tehuantepec and is producing a "large area of disorganized showers and thunderstorms," according to the NHC.
"During the next day or two, an area of low pressure is forecast to form from this area of disturbed weather, well off the coast of southwestern Mexico," forecasters said in the July 28 advisory. Forecasters also said environmental conditions appear conducive for gradual development of this system, and a tropical depression is likely to form late this week as the system moves west-northwestward.
The NHC gives this system a 70% chance of formation through the next seven days.
Lastly, the hurricane center said a small area of low pressure has formed about 1,000 miles southeast of the Hawaiian Islands.
"If deep convection persists, a short-lived tropical depression or tropical storm could develop later today," hurricane center forecasters said, giving the system a 50% chance of formation through the next 48 hours.
Tropical Storm Iona tracker
This forecast track shows the most likely path of the center of the storm. It does not illustrate the full width of the storm or its impacts, and the center of the storm is likely to travel outside the cone up to 33% of the time.
Tropical Storm Iona spaghetti models
This forecast track shows the most likely path of the center of the storm. It does not illustrate the full width of the storm or its impacts, and the center of the storm is likely to travel outside the cone up to 33% of the time.
How do hurricanes form?
Hurricanes are born in the tropics, above warm water. Clusters of thunderstorms can develop over the ocean when water temperatures exceed 80 degrees Fahrenheit. If conditions are right, the clusters swirl into a storm known as a tropical wave or tropical depression.
A tropical depression becomes a named tropical storm once its sustained wind speeds reaches 39 miles per hour. When its winds reach 74 mph, the storm officially becomes a hurricane.
Prepare now for hurricanes
Delaying potentially life-saving preparations could mean waiting until it's too late. "Get your disaster supplies while the shelves are still stocked, and get that insurance checkup early, as flood insurance requires a 30-day waiting period," NOAA recommends.
Gabe Hauari is a national trending news reporter at USA TODAY. You can follow him on X @GabeHauari or email him at Gdhauari@gannett.com.
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