Hurricane Fausto update: Risk of some impacts from wind, rainfall increasing

Hurricane Fausto — the first hurricane to move into the Central Pacific Basin during the 2026 hurricane season — continued a westward march as of the last update at 11 p.m. July 23 from National Weather Service National Hurricane Center in Miami, Fla.

The key take away from forecasters in the last update Thursday was Fausto is expected to approach the Hawaiian Islands early to the middle of next week.

And the risk of some impacts from wind and rainfall is increasing.

However, it is too soon to determine the exact location or magnitude of these impacts. Forecasters advise the public and all other stakeholders to continue monitoring Fausto’s progress.

The storm was about 1,645 miles east of Hilo and 1,325 miles west of the southern tip of Baja California. Maximum sustained winds had increased to 100 mph from 80 mph Thursday morning, and the hurricane was moving west at 15 mph, slightly faster than earlier that morning.

Hurricane force winds extended up to 45 miles out from the hurricanes center with tropical storm force winds extending up to 185 miles.

Fausto’s westward motion is expected to continue throughout the next few days, with the 11 p.m. potential forecast track showing the tropical cyclone still churning as a tropical storm by 8 p.m. July 28 off the east coast of Maui County.

There were no coastal watches or warnings in effect as of Thursday night related to Fausto.

The updated forecast calls for gradual to steady weakening, in line with recent model trends, but because the storm track forecast remains on the southern edge of most guidance models, Fausto is forecast to remain a tropical cyclone throughout Tuesday.

Fausto’s western eyewall was starting to erode early the morning of July 24; however, deep convection had wrapped back around the inner core.

Meanwhile, the hurricane’s eye continued to appear ragged from time to time. Intensity also had increased by the 11 p.m. update.

A ridge to the north continues to steer Fausto in its westward direction. If that forecast track continues, the system is likely to pass just north of the Hawaiian Islands by Tuesday.

Fausto remains in a marginal environment with sea surface temperatures of nearly 79 to almost 81 degrees, with low to moderate mid-level wind shear, which could allow the hurricane’s intensity to fluctuate during the next day or so.

Surrounding dry air has so far failed to penetrate the inner core.

Conditions are expected to become more hostile for Fausto during the next 2 days as mid-level relative humidity drops below 50% followed by increasing westerly wind shear.

Hawai‘i County Department of Water Supply urges customers to get storm ready as the first hurricane of the 2026 Central Pacific Basin 2026 hurricane season moves toward the state. The department also provided tips to prepare.

A high surf advisory for south-facing shores of the entire state was extended until 6 p.m. Friday, but it is not related to Fausto’s advance. Forecasters at National Weather Service in Honolulu said the high surf is associated with a moderate long-period swell generated by a storm system near New Zealand.

Additional updates will be provided as Fausto continues to spin toward Hawai‘i.