Heavy rain falling on Milolii; snow expected on Hawaii summits

Snow remained on the ground at Mauna Kea early Thursday afternoon, before heavy clouds moved in. (Courtesy Keck Telescope)

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The National Weather Service issued a flood advisory for Hawaii island after radar showed heavy rain falling east of Milolii, or about 33 miles south of Kailua Kona.

The area of heavy rain was nearly stationary at about 4:30 p.m. The advisory is in effect through 7:30 p.m.

National Weather Service forecasters say the island will be under the threat of flooding through Saturday. A winter storm warning is in effect for higher elevations on Mauna Kea and Mauna Loa, where up to a foot of snow could fall by tonight and a wind advisory was issued for the north part of the island, where gusty winds of more than 40 mph are expected through 6 p.m.

Rdar showed moderate to heavy rain over Hilo and Puna through most of the morning.

Hawaii island remains under a flash flood watch through Saturday.

In the 24-hour period ending at 2:45 p.m., the Hilo Airport recorded 8.1 inches of rain; Waiakea Uka saw 6.8 inches; and 6.2 inches fell in Mountain View.

Forecasters say moist and unstable conditions are creating the potential for more heavy rain, perhaps thunder storms for Hawaii island and Maui County through Saturday. Daytime heating could also create afternoon showers in leeward areas.

Earlier today, the island was under a wind advisory because of localized gusts of more than 40 mph, but forecasters dropped the advisory at about 3:30 p.m., when winds dropped below advisory levels.

The areas most strongly affected are along the crest and southeast side of the Kohala Mountains.

Forecasters are also predicting snow above 8,000 feet as moist clouds hit the very cold air over Mauna Kea and Mauna Loa. Six to 12 inches of snow could fall through 6 p.m. Saturday and visibility is expected to be less than a mile.