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Tropical Storm Niala continued to move away from the state Sunday, but wet and windy weather remains in Hawaii’s immediate forecast.
Niala, the record-tying 11th cyclone to pass through the Central Pacific this El Nino-complicated season, was 275 miles south of Hilo and 415 miles south-southeast of Honolulu at 5 p.m. Sunday.
It was moving west-southwest at 9 mph, bearing maximum sustained winds of 45 mph. Tropical storm-force winds extended outward up to 60 miles from the center.
The storm is expected to continue along that path through Tuesday afternoon, with some slowing after today.
Strong tradewinds, driven by a strong high-pressure system north of the state, are expected to produce heavy rain and surf hazards for the Big Island.
“The hazards remain quite real, but the Niala component in their generation is diminishing rapidly,” the Central Pacific Hurricane System reported.
Hawaii island was under a flash flood watch Sunday as moisture along the northern periphery of Niala hovered above. In the 12-hour period ending at 5 p.m. Sunday, gauges recorded heavy rain at Piihonua (3.27 inches), Mountain View (2.73) and Waiakea Uka (2.30).
Oahu also experienced localized heavy rain. In the 12-hour period ending Sunday at 5 p.m., gauges recorded 5.03 inches of rain at Oahu Forest National Wildlife Refuge, 2.2 inches at Lyon Arboretum in Manoa and 1.15 in upper Nuuanu.
A high-surf advisory for the eastern shores of Kauai, Oahu, Molokai, Maui and the Big Island is also in effect until 6 a.m. today.
Forecasters said the southeast shores of Hawaii island might see surf of 5 to 8 feet today.
A small-craft advisory remains in effect until 6 a.m. today for waters around Maui and Hawaii counties as a high-pressure system north of the state generates strong wind.
A drier wind pattern is expected to prevail from Tuesday through the end of the week.
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