A hurricane warning has been issued for Hawaii’s Big Island as Tropical Storm Lala continues strengthening east-southeast of the state and is forecast to approach the island at hurricane intensity Saturday. Lala had maximum sustained winds near 50 mph Thursday afternoon and was moving west-northwest toward Hawaii, with forecasters expecting continued strengthening as the cyclone crosses the central Pacific. The center is expected to pass near or just south of the Big Island, placing portions of the island within range of potentially damaging winds even if the storm’s center remains offshore.

Current projections strengthen Lala to a Category 1 hurricane with winds near 75 mph by Saturday morning as it approaches the Big Island. The National Weather Service’s offshore forecast places the cyclone south of Hawaii Island by Saturday, with tropical-storm conditions spreading through surrounding waters beforehand. A tropical storm watch has also been issued for Maui County, where tropical-storm-force winds could arrive later Saturday as Lala continues west-northwest through the island chain. Forecast confidence remains subject to changes in the storm’s track, structure and intensity as it approaches Hawaii.

Heavy rainfall is expected to become one of the most significant hazards regardless of Lala’s exact intensity at landfall or closest approach. Forecasters have warned that widespread rainfall could produce dangerous flash flooding and landslides, particularly along windward and mountainous areas of the Big Island. Earlier projections called for 5 to 10 inches across much of the island chain with substantially higher localized totals possible. Lala will also generate rapidly building surf, with the National Weather Service expecting dangerous conditions along east-facing shores of Maui and the Big Island by Saturday.

Residents are being urged to complete hurricane preparations before conditions deteriorate Friday night and Saturday. Potential impacts include power outages, fallen trees, flooded roads, coastal inundation and dangerous marine conditions. The warning represents an escalation from the hurricane watch issued earlier Thursday, reflecting increased confidence that hurricane conditions could affect at least part of the Big Island as Lala makes its closest approach this weekend.