Will Kiko impact Hawaii? See where the tropical storm is headed

Kiko remains a tropical storm and is heading westward just to the north of the western Hawaiian Islands, producing life-threatening surf and rip currents.

According to the 11 p.m. HST advisory from the National Hurricane Center on Wednesday, Sept. 10, Kiko was located about 90 miles east of Honolulu with maximum sustained winds near 40 mph with higher gusts.

Forecasters said slow weakening is expected during the next couple of days, with Kiko forecast to become a tropical depression on Wednesday, Sept. 10, and a post-tropical remnant low by Thursday night, Sept. 11.

The National Weather Service in Honolulu said on social media the "threat of direct impacts continues to lower," although interests in the western Hawaiian Islands should continue to monitor Kiko's progress.

The NHC said in the advisory swells generated by Kiko will peak across the exposed waters of the western Hawaiian Islands, producing life-threatening surf and rip current conditions.

Hawaii will continue to feel indirect impacts today from moist air Kiko brought into the area and a weak wind field left in its wake, the National Weather Service said. An inch or two of rain an hour could occur in isolated locations.

The wind may produce rain over Oahu and in Kauai’s higher terrain, the weather service said and has increased showers on the windward side of the Big Island and Maui. The weather service said it would hold off on a statewide flood watch, but added it will closely monitor in case any isolated areas receive 2 to 4 inches of rain that might cause downstream flooding issues.

NHC tracking another tropical wave in the Pacific that could become a tropical depression

Elsewhere in the Pacific, the hurricane center said it is tracking a tropical wave located a few hundred miles offshore of the coast of southern Mexico that is producing a "large area of disorganized showers and thunderstorms."

Forecasters said environmental conditions are favorable for the development of this system, and a tropical depression is likely to form by late this week as it moves west-northwestward, roughly parallel to but offshore of the Mexican coast.

The NHC gives this system a 90% chance of formation through the next seven days.

Tropical Storm Kiko path 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 Kiko spaghetti models

Illustrations include an array of forecast tools and models, and not all are created equal. The hurricane center uses only the top four or five highest-performing models to help make its forecasts.

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. 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 reach 39 mph. When its winds reach 74 mph, the storm officially becomes a hurricane.

Prepare now for hurricanes

Delaying potentially lifesaving 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," the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration recommends.

• Develop an evacuation plan. If you are at risk from hurricanes, you need an evacuation plan. Now is the time to begin planning where you would go and how you would get there.
• Assemble disaster supplies. Whether you’re evacuating or sheltering in place, you’re going to need supplies not just to get through the storm but for a possibly lengthy aftermath, NOAA said.
• Get an insurance checkup and document your possessions. Contact your insurance company or agent now and ask for an insurance checkup to make sure you have enough insurance to repair or even replace your home and belongings. Remember, home and renters insurance don’t cover flooding, so you’ll need a separate policy for those. Flood insurance is available through your company, agent or the National Flood Insurance Program. Act now, because flood insurance requires a 30-day waiting period.
• Create a family communication plan. NOAA says you should take the time now to write down a hurricane plan and share it with your family. Determine family meeting places and make sure to include an out-of-town location in case of evacuation.
• Strengthen your home. Now is the time to improve your home’s ability to withstand hurricanes. Trim trees and install storm shutters, accordion shutters and impact glass; seal outside wall openings.

Contributing: Dinah Voyles Pulver, USA TODAY

Gabe Hauari is a national trending news reporter at USA TODAY. You can follow him on X @GabeHauari or email him at [email protected].