A record string of tropical cyclones is bringing muggy conditions and an increased chance of showers to Hawaii through the weekend as the weakened storms pass near the islands.
A mass of moist tropical air over the islands, including remnants of former East Pacific Hurricane Georgette, moved past the islands Sunday, bringing a mix of sun, showers and humidity.
Tradewinds were blowing rain clouds over windward and mauka sections, with some rain crossing the mountains into leeward areas.
The wet tradewind weather is likely to continue through the weekend as remnants of former Hurricane Frank move near the state Thursday and what’s left of newly formed Tropical Depression 9E approaches Hawaii.
The eight tropical cyclones to form in the East Pacific in July tied a record for tropical cyclone formation for July set in 1985, the National Hurricane Center said in a tweet.
At 5 p.m. Sunday, 9E was packing 35 mph winds and was centered about
900 miles west-southwest
of Baja California, moving west-northwest at 12 mph.
The storm could strengthen into a tropical storm by today before weakening just before it enters the Central Pacific.
If 9E reaches tropical storm strength, it will be the eighth tropical storm of the season and will be named named Howard. Georgette tied the 1985 record, according to Philip Klotzbach, a meteorologist at Colorado State University, and Eric Blake, a hurricane specialist at the National Hurricane Center, who regularly tweet about historical storm records.
The forecast for Honolulu and the South Shore of Oahu calls for a 50 percent chance of showers through Saturday. Tradewinds will become breezy by Wednesday, increasing to 15 to
25 mph. Highs are expected to be between 82 and 90 degrees.
Meanwhile, the high temperature in Hilo on Friday tied a record for the date. The high of 87 tied the record set in 2015, the National Weather Service said.