Hawaii faces rare back-to-back tropical threats as Tropical Depression Moke brings life-threatening flood risk
In the Eastern Pacific, Tropical Storm Iselle could bring rough surf to parts of Baja California Monday and four other areas in the Eastern Pacific are being monitored for tropical development amid the strengthening El Niño.
Tropical Storm Moke lashes Hawaii's Big Island, the state's second tropical system in two weeks
Tropical Storm Moke lashed Hawaii's Big Island Sunday. Hawaii, which rarely sees tropical activity, is facing its second tropical system in less than two weeks. FOX Weather Senior Correspondent Robert Ray is on the ground with the conditions.
THE TAKEAWAY
- Hawaii appears to dodge the worst of Tropical Depression Moke, but life-threatening flooding is still possible.
- Eastern Pacific is teeming with tropical activity, including Tropical Storm Iselle.
- Warm waters of the Central and Eastern Pacific are very favorable for tropical development amid strengthening El Niño.
HONOLULU — Tropical Depression Moke is lashing Hawaii's Big Island with downpours and gusty winds, with additional rainfall capable of producing another round of life-threatening flash flooding as the storm's center passes a few hundred miles south of the state.
FOX Weather Senior Correspondent Robert Ray reported that cleanup is still ongoing across parts of the Big Island after Hurricane Lala dumped nearly 3 feet of rain in some places last week, destroying homes and businesses, and causing widespread power outages.
Tropical Storm Moke stats.(FOX Weather)
Hawaii, which rarely sees tropical activity, is facing its second tropical system in less than two weeks as the waters of the Central and Eastern Pacific Ocean warm amid a strengthening El Niño climate pattern, creating a more favorable environment for increased tropical development. El Niño could reach record strength later this year, according to NOAA.
Moke was downgraded to a Tropical Depression late Sunday and currently has maximum sustained wind gusts of 35 mph.
FOX Weather Hurricane Specialist Bryan Norcross said early Monday that the Big Island appears to have dodged the worst of the rain thus far, with the heaviest rain bands staying to the south of the island.
WHAT'S THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN A TROPICAL DEPRESSION, TROPICAL STORM AND HURRICANE?
Tropical Storm Moke cone.(FOX Weather)
While Moke is weaker and tracking much farther south than Hurricane Lala, the National Hurricane Center (NHC) said the storm could produce another 3-6 inches of rain across the Big Island through Monday.
The additional rain, combined with the Big Island's steep terrain and ground still saturated from Hurricane Lala, could trigger life-threatening flash flooding and mudslides, the NHC said.
LATEST FROM FOX WEATHER HURRICANE SPECIALIST BRYAN NORCROSS
A Flood Watch is in effect for the Big Island through Monday night.
![]()
Image 1 of 5A resident carries supplies during Hurricane Lala in Hawaiian Ocean View, Hawaii, Saturday, Aug. 15, 2026. The storm strengthened into a hurricane as it approached Hawaii, with up to 25 inches of rain possible on the island of Hawaii, commonly known as the Big Island. (Photo by Stephen Lam/San Francisco Chronicle via Getty Images) ( )
![]()
Image 2 of 5Major flooding in Waiohinu, Hawaii, from Hurricane Lala on Saturday, Aug. 15. (Hawaii Department of Transportation )
![]()
Image 3 of 5A rural road floods in Volcano Village on Hawaii Island, on August 15, 2026. Hurricane Lala on Saturday lashed Hawaii's Big Island with heavy rain and strong winds, as forecasters warned of potentially dangerous flooding across the US Pacific island state. Lala strengthened into a Category 1 hurricane at around 9:00 am local time (1900 GMT), generating winds of up to 75 miles per hour (120 kilometers per hour). (Photo by Jill K. Briggs / AFP via Getty Images) ( )
![A young green sea turtle fills up on grass as ocean waters started to raise due to the approach of Tropical Storm Lala at Reed's Bay in Hilo, Hawaii on August 14, 2026.]()
Image 4 of 5A young green sea turtle fills up on grass as ocean waters started to raise due to the approach of Tropical Storm Lala at Reed's Bay in Hilo, Hawaii on August 14, 2026. (Jill K. Briggs / AFP )
![]()
Image 5 of 5A resident stops on a rural road as it floods in Volcano Village on Hawaii Island, on August 15, 2026. Hurricane Lala on Saturday lashed Hawaii's Big Island with heavy rain and strong winds, as forecasters warned of potentially dangerous flooding across the US Pacific island state. Lala strengthened into a Category 1 hurricane at around 9:00 am local time (1900 GMT), generating winds of up to 75 miles per hour (120 kilometers per hour). (Photo by Jill K. Briggs / AFP via Getty Images) ( )
Tropical Depression Moke is expected to stay well to the south of the rest of the state and is forecast to clear the rest of the islands as it continues to weaken.
Eastern Maui could also see another 3-6 inches of rain, while Western Maui and the other islands will likely see 1-2 inches of rain through Monday.
WHY IS IT SO RARE FOR HURRICANES TO MAKE LANDFALL ON HAWAII?
The NHC said Moke is forecast to become a remnant area of low pressure late Monday before completely dissipating sometime Tuesday.
Three tropical systems churn in Central and Eastern Pacific amid strengthening El Niño
Waters in the Central and Eastern Pacific are warming amid a strengthening El Niño climate pattern, producing a bevy of tropical activity. Tropical Depression Moke is weakening but could still bring heavy rain to parts of Hawaii and Lala remains a tropical storm well out to sea. Meanwhile, Tropical Storm Iselle could bring rough surf to parts of Baja California and four other areas in the Eastern Pacific are being monitored for tropical development.
Tropical Storm Iselle churns in active Eastern Pacific
Meanwhile, Tropical Storm Iselle could bring rough surf to parts of Baja California Monday and four other areas in the Eastern Pacific are being monitored for tropical development amid the strengthening El Niño.
According to the FOX Forecast Center, the overall weather pattern keeps Iselle moving westward into the open Pacific.
Tropical Storm Iselle stats.(FOX Weather)
Iselle is currently located about 540 miles southwest of the southern tip of Baja California, moving northwest at 12 mph, with 60 mph maximum sustained wind gusts, according to the NHC.
Conditions could be conducive enough for Iselle to strengthen into a hurricane by Monday night.
(FOX Weather)
Of the other four areas to watch for tropical development in the Eastern Pacific, Invest 91E, could become a tropical depression over the next day or two before it interacts with Iselle nearby, the FOX Forecast Center said.
HURRICANE SEASON 2026: THESE ARE THE STORM NAMES YOU'LL SEE THIS SEASON
The Forecast Center said another disturbance is expected to form well south of southern Mexico later this week.
"Development should be slow at first, but conditions may become more favorable by the end of the week as the system moves west."
This system is being given a high chance of development over the next seven days.