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A kayaker paddles into shore at Maunalua Bay in Hawaii-Kai.
COURTESY NOAA / NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE
This composite satellite image shows a large upper-level trough northwest of Oahu sitting nearly stationary. The trough is causing unstable weather over the islands.
The clouds and showers that blanketed Oahu this afternoon are expected to spread to Kauai overnight, while drier conditions are forecast for the eastern end of the state.
The National Weather Service said a narrow cloud band sat over Oahu for most of Tuesday, dropping up to three-quarters of an inch of rain between sunrise and sunset in some areas.
Cloudy conditions and showers are expected to spread westward to Kauai overnight, forecasters said. The rest of the state can expect relatively dry conditions, with showers mostly limited to windward and southeast slopes.
The wet weather is expected to hang around for the western half of the state through Thursday, forecasters said.
The rain and wet roads may be responsible for a number of accidents on wet streets this morning.
On Monday evening, a mudslide closed a lane on the Kailua-bound Pali Highway until it could be cleared.
Maui County got the most rain overnight. In the 24-hour period ending at 5 a.m., Lanai City and Kahoolawe got about 2.5 inches.
The heaviest rain on Oahu fell on the windward side, where Waimanalo saw 1.45 inches and about an inch fell on Ahuimanu Loop and at the Olomana Fire Station.
When it’s not raining, forecasters say the weather will be muggy and there’s a chance of volcanic haze blown over the islands by Kona winds.
Forecasters canceled a flood watch for Oahu, Kauai and Maui counties and a winter weather advisory for Big Island summits as a weather system capable of generating thunderstorms moved away.
Tradewinds should return by Friday, finally bringing mostly sunny skies and the usual windward and mauka showers.
