Hawai‘i, United States – On the evening of April 5, 2026, a river of lava flowed across Kīlauea volcano, captured in video footage around 20:00 local time.

Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park continues to prepare for the next lava fountaining episode, with visitor numbers rising and wind patterns shifting.

The National Weather Service in Honolulu issued a special weather statement on April 3, forecasting a shift from northeasterly trade winds to southerly winds by midweek. If Episode 44 occurs during southerly winds, volcanic gas, or vog, along with tephra, could blanket the summit, similar to March 10 during Episode 43 of the ongoing eruption that started December 23, 2024.

The Hawaiian Volcano Observatory predicts Episode 44 lava fountains may begin between Monday, April 6, and Tuesday, April 14.

Vog is hazardous to everyone and can cause respiratory distress and illness, particularly for sensitive people. Tephra, including small glassy volcanic fragments such as ash, pumice, Pele’s hair, and reticulite, acts as an irritant and increases driving hazards.

During Episode 43, extreme fallout combined with southerly winds and high lava fountains prompted closures of the park and Highway 11.

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