Keli — 2025

Tropical Storm Keli formed from a low-pressure area that developed during a breakdown of the Intertropical Convergence Zone east-southeast of Hilo, Hawaii. A small, well-defined circulation appeared about 1800 UTC 27 July, and the system became a tropical depression near 1200 UTC 28 July about 825 nautical miles southeast of Hilo. Keli was short-lived, existing as a tropical cyclone from 28 July until it dissipated on 30 July 2025, moving generally west-northwestward while remaining well east of the Hawaiian Islands and west of Hurricane Iona. Keli did not make any landfalls. The storm remained over open water throughout its lifespan, produced no coastal watches or warnings, and had no direct impacts on populated areas. The storm’s peak intensity was estimated at 45 knots (about 52 mph) between 0600 and 1200 UTC 29 July, with an estimated minimum central pressure of 1003 mb. This peak was determined from a blend of scatterometer and synthetic aperture radar data and supported by satellite microwave imagery indicating a brief inner core. There were no reports of storm surge or rainfall impacts to land because Keli stayed over the central Pacific and did not approach the Hawaiian Islands. Accordingly, there are no coastal surge measurements or land rainfall totals associated with this system. No damage or casualties were reported in association with Keli. The National Hurricane Center noted that genesis was essentially unforecast until a special Tropical Weather Outlook issued three hours before formation; official track forecast errors were larger than recent averages because Keli moved north of initial forecasts, while intensity forecasts performed well. The small size and brief lifetime of the storm, and its coexistence with Hurricane Iona, made Keli an unusual and hard-to-forecast system, but it produced no known impacts.