Lana (2009)

A tropical depression formed about 1,030 nautical miles east-southeast of Hilo, Hawaii, around 1200 UTC on 30 July 2009 after a tropical wave moved west across the Pacific. The system moved quickly westward, crossed 140°W into the central Pacific, became Tropical Storm Lana at about 1800 UTC on 30 July, strengthened over the next day, and then weakened as increasing wind shear affected it. Lana degraded to a remnant low early on 3 August and dissipated later that day about 475 nautical miles southwest of Honolulu.

Lana did not make landfall. It remained well south of the Hawaiian Islands throughout its life, moving west-southwest to westward over open water and away from populated coastlines.

The storm’s maximum intensity was 55 knots (about 63 mph) at 1800 UTC on 31 July, with an estimated minimum central pressure of 995 mb. At peak it was a moderate tropical storm (not a hurricane).

There were no reported storm surge measurements or significant rainfall reports tied to Lana in the official record. No ship reports of tropical-storm-force winds were recorded, and no coastal watches or warnings were required for Hawaii.

There were no reported deaths or damage associated with Lana. The system was short-lived and stayed over the open ocean, so it produced little to no direct impact on land.

The storm’s formation was not well anticipated in advance; forecasts had repeatedly given the precursor disturbance a low chance of developing, and only one official tropical-storm forecast was issued for Lana. Official track forecast errors ranged from about 38 to 93 nautical miles at various lead times.