Hawaii Put on Alert as Tropical Features Spin Up in the Pacific

While the Atlantic basin has been brimming with tropical activity this summer, it has been fairly docile in the Eastern Pacific. However, forecasters are warning that it could change in the coming days as this part of the world's oceans starts to ramp up. Here is a look at what experts are watching in the Pacific heading into the back half of August as well as an update on Hurricane Ernesto.

Eastern Pacific Coming to Life

The central and eastern portions of the Pacific are showing signs of life with one particular feature possibly signaling that it may move close to the Hawaiian islands. Not only will this bring a higher chance of tropical rain but the boost in trade winds will raise the threat of wildfire danger.

Meteorologists are tracking a feature that is spinning about 1,000 miles to the east-southwest of Hilo on the Big Island of Hawaii. This feature has a medium risk of developing into a tropical depression or named storm as it moves to the south of the island chain early next week.

Moving farther out across the eastern Pacific, two tropical waves of low pressure have come under scrutiny. Should either of these features survive the journey to the west, they could inch closer to Hawaii by the end of August.

Hawaii is no stranger to tropical weather in August. Last year, Category 4 Hurricane Dora churned to the south of the islands. Although its eye stayed well off land, the system was responsible for a significant increase in the northeasterly trade winds across some parts of Hawaii.