Tropical Storm Lala Forecast to Hit Hawaii as Hurricane This Weekend
Lala Threatens Rare Hawaii Hurricane Landfall
Tropical Storm Lala is expected to strengthen to a hurricane before reaching Hawaii's Big Island this weekend, forecasters said Friday, bringing heavy rains that can cause destructive flooding and strong winds that can fuel wildfires. [4] The storm will produce heavy rains capable of causing destructive flooding and strong winds that can fuel wildfires. [4] Forecasters noted that the intensification to hurricane strength is anticipated prior to landfall on the Big Island. [4] This development carries risks of destructive flooding from the heavy rains along with wildfire potential driven by the strong winds. [4]
Flash Flooding Ongoing in Arizona
A Flash Flood Warning remains in effect for central Mohave County in northwestern Arizona until 9:15 PM MST. [1] At 6:47 PM MST, emergency management reported thunderstorms producing heavy rain across the warned area, with up to 3 inches of rain having fallen. [1] Flash flooding is ongoing or expected to begin shortly. [1] The hazard involves life-threatening flash flooding from thunderstorms. [1] The source of the report is emergency management. [1] Impacts include the potential for life-threatening conditions due to the ongoing or imminent flash flooding. [1]
Lightning and Fire Risk in Oregon
A Red Flag Warning for abundant lightning expired at 7 PM PDT this evening for fire weather zone 694 in the Grande Ronde Valley of Oregon. [2] A push of monsoon moisture will bring scattered thunderstorms to the region through Saturday evening. [2] Heavier rainfall is expected within stronger storms, but lightning outside of rain cores continues to be a concern. [2] The warning covered fire weather zones 694 Grande Ronde Valley of Oregon and 699 Western Fores. [2] Monsoon moisture is driving the scattered thunderstorms through Saturday. [2]
Europe Endures Fifth Heatwave
The Royal Netherlands Meteorological Institute issued a yellow heat warning on Aug. 14, 2026, as temperatures reached 35 degrees Celsius, marking the fifth heatwave in the Netherlands this year. [3] People cooled off in an outdoor swimming pool in Delden, the Netherlands, on Aug. 14, 2026. [3] A man jumped into an outdoor swimming pool in Delden on Aug. 14, 2026. [3] A woman jumped into an outdoor swimming pool in Delden on Aug. 14, 2026. [3] The warning came as temperatures reached 35 degrees Celsius during this fifth heatwave of the year. [3]
Record Heat Devastates South Korean Agriculture
South Korea's record heat wave has killed close to a million farm animals and 1.83 million farmed fish, the agriculture and fisheries ministries said, with farmers reporting potato and watermelon crops rotting in the field. [5] The country set its national temperature record on Aug. 2, when Yangsan in South Gyeongsang reached 42.5 degrees Celsius at 1:26 p.m., the highest reading in 122 years of modern observation. [5] Korea JoongAng Daily reported the city broke the national mark on two consecutive days and stayed above 40 degrees Celsius for five days running. [5] The Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency counted 3,237 heat illness cases and 28 suspected heat deaths between May 15 and Aug. 8. [5] A joint government statement on Aug. 6 found six in 10 of those who died were 80 or older. [5] President Lee Jae Myung called the heat a national disaster at an Aug. 4 cabinet meeting and two days later ordered ministries to strengthen protection for elderly people living alone and residents of single-room housing districts. [5] Livestock deaths reported to the state disaster insurance scheme reached about 998,000 animals as of Aug. 7, including 944,234 poultry and 54,299 pigs. [5] Money Today reported that birds made up roughly 95% of reported losses. [5] Warming seawater killed the 1.83 million farmed fish, with high-temperature alerts covering 31 of the country's 35 coastal zones by Aug. 10. [5] In Yanggu county, 130 km northeast of Seoul, potato farmer Lee Sang-hyuk found crops lost after heat turned soil into something closer to an oven. [5] About 257 km south of Seoul in Gwangju, watermelon grower Hong Kyung-hee watched fruit turn soft after three days. [5] Strawberry farmer Yoon Woo-ha in Damyang county lost seedlings cultivated over three months. [5] Revised disaster insurance and relief laws take effect Aug. 15. [5]
Broader Asian Heat Records
Japan, China and South Korea all recorded their hottest summer on record last year. [5] Japan logged its first kokushobi, or "cruelly hot day," on July 21, when Tajimi and Gujo in Gifu prefecture and Toyota in neighboring Aichi all topped 40 degrees Celsius. [5] Three lionesses died within a week at Tama Zoological Park in western Tokyo and 10 of its 16 lions fell ill, with the zoo telling AFP that veterinarians suspected heatstroke after finding dehydration and multiple organ failure. [5] Hong Kong recorded 36.9 degrees Celsius on Aug. 9, its hottest since records began in 1884. [5] Sheung Shui in the New Territories hit 39.8. [5] The Ayding Lake station in Turpan, Xinjiang, reached 50 degrees Celsius on July 21, China's first national-level 50-degree reading of the year. [5] North Korean state television said Pyongyang hit 36.7 degrees Celsius on Aug. 6, the highest since records began in the capital. [5]
What to watch next: Forecasters will continue tracking Tropical Storm Lala's path toward the Big Island this weekend while monsoon moisture sustains scattered thunderstorms in Oregon through Saturday evening and heat warnings remain active in the Netherlands.
