Hurricanes in Hawaii

What is a Hurricane?

A hurricane is a type of storm called a tropical cyclone, which forms over tropical or subtropical waters. … Tropical cyclones with maximum sustained surface winds of less than 39 miles per hour (mph) are called tropical depressions.

Hurricane Formation: Hurricanes form over warm water. Hurricanes start out as storms and keep gaining their energy from warm water. Hurricanes will lose energy when they travel over colder water or land. Hurricanes carry strong winds and heavy rains, which can be a deadly combination.

Hurricane Warning: An announcement that hurricane conditions are expected within the specified area. Because outside preparedness activities become difficult once winds reach tropical storm force, warnings are issued 36 hours in advance of the anticipated onset of tropical storm-force winds.

All tropical cyclones that have passed within 75 miles of the major Hawaiian Islands since 1950. From NOAA

Hurricane Season: Hurricanes are most likely to occur July through December in Hawaii. Hurricanes bring severe bad weather, flooding rain, and potentially devastatingly strong winds. The passing of a Hurricane may last days or up to a week or more. The Hurricanes usually develop far away in the eastern Pacific and we generally get several days or more warning of their approach. So there is usually time to make preparations and even evacuate if necessary. Many Hurricanes come close to Hawaii but are just too far away to have a severe effect, This near-miss scenario, and repeated canceled warnings, can give some people a false sense of security. Until one does hit, and they may be unprepared. Here’s the link to the National Hurricane Center (NHC).