Weakening Hurricane Fausto expected to pass north of Hawaii
Fausto was forecast to slip north of the Big Island Tuesday into Wednesday, but windward and mauka areas could still see showers and locally heavy rain.
Hurricane Fausto was expected to pass just north of Hawaii between Tuesday and Wednesday, with forecasters saying the system could be down to a tropical storm or even a remnant low by then. Even without a direct hit, the track still mattered for Hawaii Island because rain bands, gusty winds, rough surf and changing marine conditions can reach the Big Island when a storm stays offshore.
By Monday, breezy trade winds were expected to keep sending passing showers over windward and mauka areas. As Fausto moved closer from the east, there was a chance of showers and some locally heavy rainfall, a combination that can quickly change road conditions in places like Hilo, the Hamakua Coast and windward mountain slopes. Leeward areas were less likely to take the brunt of the rain, but residents there still had to watch for wind shifts, dust and isolated gusts.
The concern on Hawaii Island was not just the center of the storm, but where the outer edges could push impacts. A pass north of the state can still leave coastal communities dealing with rough surf and marine hazards, while county departments, utility providers and transportation agencies may have to pre-position crews or warn about possible service interruptions. For residents deciding whether to boat, work outdoors or keep weekend travel plans, the forecast still carried real consequences.
Fausto’s track had been evolving for days. Tropical Storm Fausto formed off Mexico’s Pacific coast on July 19, and forecasters on July 22 said it was too early to know exactly how the storm would affect Hawaii weather as it tracked near or just north of the islands the following week. By July 23, the longer-range forecast was already pointing toward a weakened Fausto generally toward the Hawaiian Islands, and on July 24 the storm was still carrying 105 mph winds while moving toward Hawaii.
As the forecast settled into a close pass north of the islands, officials across Hawaii urged residents to take precautions and prepare. The readiness advice was clear: families should have seven to 14 days worth of goods on hand. For Big Island households, that meant taking the storm seriously even without a direct landfall, because a weakening hurricane can still bring enough rain, surf and wind to disrupt travel, boating and daily routines across the county.
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