Oahu and Kauai County remain under a flash flood watch until this afternoon as the final rainy vestiges of former Tropical Storm Howard pass through the island chain — just in time for the approach of another weakening tropical cyclone.
Heavy rain fell over Kauai, Oahu’s North Shore and Maui near Kahului on Sunday morning but eventually eased as the day went on.
Over the 24-hour period ending Sunday at 5 p.m., gauges in the Kilohana area of Kauai recorded 3.96 inches of rainfall. Also on Kauai, Mount Waialeale recorded 3.34 inches. Areas on Oahu experiencing heavy rain included Moanalua (2.27 inches), Makaha Stream (2.22) and Makua Range (1.92).
A National Weather Service report issued Sunday afternoon said, “A swirl of low clouds near the island
of Kauai marks the poorly defined center of the post-
tropical low associated with former tropical cyclone Howard. Although isolated thunderstorms are developing north and northeast of the center, upper-level winds are not conducive for redevelopment, and the system is expected to gradually dissipate as it moves west near 10 miles per hour over the next couple of days.”
A high-surf advisory was issued Sunday for the east shores of Kauai and Oahu as wave heights reached 6 to
9 feet. The advisory expired at 6 p.m.
Meanwhile, Tropical Depression Ivette, which weakened from a tropical storm earlier in the day, continued to lose strength as it moved west toward the state.
As of 5 p.m. Sunday, Ivette was 1,015 miles east-southeast of Hilo, moving west at 9 mph.
The storm had sustained winds of 35 mph and was expected to cross into the Central Pacific late Sunday.
Whatever is left of Ivette is likely to near the islands Wednesday or Thursday, bringing more muggy weather and an increased chance of showers.
Meanwhile a new tropical storm formed early Sunday and was threatening Baja California with strong wind and heavy rain.
Tropical Storm Javier, with maximum sustained winds of 50 mph, was about 250 miles southwest of Cabo San Lucas. Tropical storm-force winds extended 105 miles from the center.
Javier was moving west-northwest at 14 mph and could pass near or over Baja California before it turns northwest.