AccuWeather said that storm and tropical depression activities may be heating up in the Pacific Ocean, accompanied by increased trading winds, increasing the risk of forest fires.
While the central and eastern Pacific is relatively calm so far this season, AccuWeather meteorologists are monitoring some systems that could develop into tropical storms in the coming days and some that could move towards Hawaii (USA).
"In addition to the potential impacts of rain and sea, increased trading winds could increase the risk of forest fires," said AccuWeather meteorologist Grady Gilman.
The first tropical system is located about 1,600 km east-southeast of Hilo, Hawaii and is likely to develop into a tropical depression or storm as it passes south of the islands early next week.
Longer east of the Pacific Ocean, there are two tropical depressions that AccuWeather meteorologists are monitoring. If they develop and survive, one or both could move relatively close to Hawaii by the end of August. At least one of the two systems is likely to develop.
Last August, a Category 4 super typhoon Dora passed south of Hawaii. Although the center of the storm is still very far from the islands, there is a significant difference in atmospheric pressure between the storm and strong high pressure in the northern and central Pacific. As a result, the northeast trade winds on the islands will increase.
Winds so strong that they knock down trees and power lines, causing forest fires to spread rapidly, becoming Hawaii's biggest natural disaster. The deadliest fire hit on the island of Maui, killing more than 100 people and destroying at least 2,200 buildings.
Brett Anderson, a meteorologist and senior drought expert at AccuWeather, said the situation next week will be similar but much less intense than in August 2023.
"The high pressure area is not as strong as last August and the system passing south is not as strong as Dora,"ison explained.
The two tropical depressions are expected to be delayed for a long time and there will be many things to happen to them in the coming days.
"There is a chance that at least one of the two tropical depressions in the eastern Pacific will approach Hawaii enough by the end of August to cause more direct impacts," said senior meteorologist Adam Douty of AccuWeather.
These could range from increased trading winds around the islands to heavy rains. Any increase in commercial winds on dry vegetation due to drought increases the risk of forest fires.
"While this situation does not seem as intense as in August 2023, we aim to raise awareness among people, businesses and government officials that trade winds could increase in the coming weeks, which could lead to a significant increase in the risk of local forest fires," said AccuWeather meteorologist Jonathan Porter.
"People should be especially careful when conducting activities that can create fireworks so that the fire cannot spread quickly, especially when there is gusts of wind," Mr. Cooper advised.
