3:30pm:  It appears to me that winds have increased to 85 mph with stronger gusts near sea level.  Noon:  75 mph winds near sea level. Unfortunately, as forecast... 12:12p radar image of Hurricane Lala: 9:15am: We now have Hurricane Lala. Official sustained winds are 75 mph, but the south Big Island radar is showing areas of 80 mph winds. Gusts of 100 mph or even stronger are possible in the higher elevations.    The area I've circled is receiving torrential rain, even where it does not show on the radar. Catastrophic flooding with rainfall amounts exceeding 20 inches will cause extensive flooding and mudslides. Bridges will be washed out and power will be lost. Compare this photo to the one below. The storm is more symmetric = strengthening.  -- 5am information (below) is still valid -- Hurricane warning continues for the Big Island with tropical storm warnings in effect for the rest of the Hawaiian Islands.   Lala is still expected to be a Cat 1 hurr...

While flash flooding rains are possible in the yellow area, the red area has a moderate to high risk from now until 8am Sunday. Please keep up on the latest weather information in this area. Remember: Turn around, don't drown!

The eye of Tropical Storm Lala is now quite visible to the southeast of the southern tip of the Island of Hawaii (a/k/a "the Big Island"). It is currently moving ENE. Peak sustained winds are 65 mph but it could strengthen as the day progresses.   Note the heavy rain (yellow) on the southeast side of Hawaii. Flooding rains are likely  with Lala as well as life-threatening surf. 

The information below is still valid at 5p Friday Hawaii Time.  New data indicates the rains over the Big Island will likely exceed 25 inches in places. In Maui, the rains will likely exceed 15 inches.  Extreme flooding and mudslides are likely with rainfalls of this intensity.  If you live in a flood-prone area or in a low-lying area on these two islands, I urge you to finish preparations, which includes considering pre-evacuating into a safer area.  Note: Winds may gust above 100 mph in the mountains and higher elevations of the Big Island. This will be the first hurricane to affect Hawaii in the 126 years of records.  We have a Hurricane Warning for the Big Island, a Tropical Storm Warning for Maui and Lanai and tropical storm watches are in effect for Oahu and Kauai.  Life-threatening high surf is forecast for each of the islands. Damaging winds are forecast, especially in the higher elevations. 

The area in brown has a significant risk of tornadoes later today. Please keep up on the weather in this region.