Historically active Hawaiian hurricane season
Historically active Hawaiian hurricane season
Hannah Oelker, Hannah Gard, and Tommy House Mon, September 28, 2026 at 3:29 AM UTC
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Austin (KXAN) -- The Atlantic has not had a hurricane this season; however, the Pacific has been plenty active, and Hawaii has seen significant tropical impacts in recent months.
2026 E. Pacific Hurricane Names (KXAN First Warning Weather)
Tropical tracker: Timeline of the 2026 Atlantic Hurricane Season
Hawaiian waters are further North of the tropics and can be too cool for a hurricane to form. Around Hawaii, especially as storms approach from the east, upper-level winds can become strong and change direction with height.
This can tilt and weaken the hurricane's circulation. These two conditions make it unfavorable for a hurricane to make landfall in Hawaii, but not impossible.
How do hurricanes form?
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Offshore impacts
The last time Hawaii had three hurricanes come within 100 miles of the island in a single season was the 1950's. There are only 17 hurricanes of record that have come within this 100-mile range.
100 miles may sound far, but is about the distance of Austin to Waco. Without making landfall these systems can still cause catastrophic damage to the islands. Hurricane Hiki held the record for the wettest tropical cyclone in the United States until Hurricane Harvey in 2017.
Hurricane Lane (2018) was 140 miles away and caused severe flash flooding and landslides. Strong winds, storm surge, tornadoes, and rip currents can damage the island and pose risks even if a tropical system does not make landfall.
Tropical Storm Impacts (KXAN First Warning Weather)This hurricane season
This Pacific hurricane season we have already had two hurricanes, Moke and Lowell, within 100 miles of Hawaii. Hurricane Nolo, which is currently active in the Pacific, but will steer clear of Hawaii (in terms of landfall).
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Source: “AOL Breaking”
