Low-pressure system could mean rain for isles

The Central Pacific Hurricane Center is keeping an eye on a low-pressure system that could bring rain to the isles by the end of the week.

There is a 70 percent chance that a low-pressure system in the Eastern Pacific will form into a tropical depression within the next 48 hours, the center said.

The system, 1,450 miles east-southeast of Hilo at 2 p.m. Monday, was moving to the west-northwest at 15 to 20 mph.

"Right now, since it’s quite a distance away, there’s no forecast out for it," said National Weather Service forecaster Derek Wroe.

"We encourage everyone to review their preparedness plan," he added. "If you don’t have a plan, think about what you might do in case of a hurricane."

Hurricane season runs from June 1 to Nov. 30.

The weather service is also watching a weak surface low-pressure system 650 miles south-southeast of Hilo, but it is stationary and there is a 10 percent chance of it forming into a tropical depression in the next 48 hours.

A third system, 1,000 miles south-southwest of Hono­lulu, has a 20 percent chance of turning into a depression by Wednesday afternoon, the weather service said. Poorly organized thunderstorms persisted Monday on the edge of the area.

For hurricane preparedness tips, go to ready.gov; the state’s civil defense site, www.scd.hawaii.gov/preparedness.html; or to your county emergency management agency’s site.