Two named tropical cyclones are slated to impact Hawaii over the next several days, with one passing just to the south of the Big Island late this weekend and another that could close in on the String of Pearls before the end of August. AccuWeather meteorologists expect both to have an impact on the islands. A distant third tropical cyclone may also bear watching.

Hone was named last Thursday as a swirling batch of showers and thunderstorms became better organized. Gusty winds, flooding rain and rough seas are expected to continue across portions of the Hawaiian Islands into Monday as Hone moves to the south.

As of late Sunday night, local time, a peak wind gust of 72 mph (at Kohala Ranch) and rainfall amount of 27.5 inches (Hakalau) was observed so far on Hawaii’s Big Island. Over 17,000 customers were without power, as well, according to Poweroutage.us. Hone became better organized this past weekend and gained wind intensity reaching hurricane strength at 5 a.m. Eastern time on Sunday morning. By Monday morning, Hone lost wind intensity and was a 70-mph tropical storm.

As Hone continues its westward track, wind gusts of 40-60 mph are expected to continue mainly across the western portions of the islands. Winds of this magnitude can bring down trees and cause power outages. Winds can also increase the fire threat across the islands, especially on the western and southern rain-sheltered slopes of mountains and hillsides. A similar setup occurred last August as Hurricane Dora passed to the south. Gusty winds, drought and dry air triggered a deadly and destructive wildfire that became Hawaii’s worst natural disaster.

Heavy rain will continue to occur across portions of the Hawaiian Islands through Monday.

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