According to AccuWeather, storm and tropical depression activities may be heating up in the Pacific Ocean, accompanied by increased trade winds, increasing the risk of forest fires.
While the mid and eastern Pacific have been relatively calm so far this hurricane season , AccuWeather meteorologists are tracking several systems that could develop into tropical storms in the coming days and a Some numbers can move in the direction of Hawaii (USA).
"In addition to potential impacts from rain and seas, increased trade winds could increase the risk of wildfires," said AccuWeather meteorologist Grady Gilman.
The first tropical system is located about 1,600 km east southeast of Hilo, Hawaii and has a high chance of developing into a tropical depression or hurricane as it passes south of the islands early next week.
Farther east in the Pacific, 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 highly likely to develop.
Last August, category 4 superstorm Dora passed south of Hawaii. Although the center of the storm is still far away from the islands, there is a significant difference in atmospheric pressure between the storm and the strong high pressure over the northern and mid-Pacific. The consequence is an increase in the northeast trade winds over the islands.
Winds were so strong that they toppled trees and power lines, causing wildfires that spread rapidly, becoming Hawaii's largest natural disaster. The most devastating fire occurred on the island of Maui, killing more than 100 people and destroying at least 2,200 buildings.
Brett Anderson, AccuWeather's senior meteorologist and drought expert, said next week's conditions will be similar but much less intense than August 2023.
"The high pressure area is not as strong as last August and the system passing to the south is not as strong as Hurricane Dora" - Anderson explained.
The two tropical depressions are forecast to be a long time coming and a lot could happen to them in the coming days.
"It is likely that at least one of the two eastern Pacific tropical depressions will get close enough to Hawaii by the end of August to cause more direct impacts," said AccuWeather senior meteorologist Adam Douty. .
Those impacts could range from increased trade winds around the islands to heavy rainfall. Any increase in trade winds in dry vegetation due to drought increases the risk of wildfires .
"While this situation does not appear to be as intense as in August 2023, we want to raise awareness among citizens, businesses and government officials that trade winds may increase in the coming weeks, which could lead to The risk of local wildfires has increased significantly," said AccuWeather meteorologist Jonathan Porter.
"People should be especially careful when conducting activities that could create sparks so as not to create a fire that could spread quickly, especially when there are gusts of wind," Mr. Porter advised.
