Flash flood watch in effect for Big Isle, Maui

Update 9:00 a.m.

The flash flood watch for Maui and Hawaii island remains in effect despite the expiration of the flood advisory for Hawaii island.

Forecasters said that although Maui and Hawaii island will likely see heavy showers and thunderstorms today, the wet weather could spread to the rest of the state.

The upper-level low should weaken Tuesday, which is when weather officials said our weather will “gradually settle down.” Tradewinds are expected to return by midweek.

Update 5:30 a.m.

Weather officials posted a flood advisory for Hawaii island after radar showed thunderstorms streaming over the island from the southeast.

Additional heavy showers are expected to move ashore this morning, forecasters said.

The advisory is in effect through 8:30 a.m.

Locations in the advisory include, but are not limited to, Hilo, Kailua-Kona, Hawaiian Paradise Park, Captain Cook, Honokaa, Paauilo, Naalehu, Orchidlands Estates, Pepeekeo, Kawa Flats, Pahoa and Pohakuloa Camp.

Update 5:00 a.m.

Officials at the National Weather Service have added Maui to the flash flood watch that has also been extended for Hawaii island through this afternoon.

“With the ground saturated from recent rainfall, any heavy showers that occur are likely to lead to excessive runoff,” weather officials said.

Update 3:30 p.m.

A flash flood watch is in effect through late tonight for Hawaii island.

According to the National Weather Service, moist, unstable air is interacting with an upper-level low to the west of the state could cause additional heavy rain and embedded thunderstorms near Hawaii island overnight.

Streams may run higher than normal and could exceed banks overnight, leading to flash flooding.

Update 12:30 p.m.

The flash flood advisory has been extended for the island of Maui until 3 p.m.

Doppler Radar at 11:47 a.m. showed moderate to heavy rain continuing to move over the eastern slopes of Haleakala from the south and keeping stream levels elevated.

More rain will continue to move over east Maui over the next few hours, weather officials said.

Update 9:35 a.m

The National Weather Service extended a flash flood advisory for the island of Maui until noon today.

Radar at 9:16 a.m. showed heavy rain continuing to pummel the eastern slopes of Haleakala and from Keanae to Kaupo. Weather officials estimated the rainfall to be between 1 and 2 inches per hour.

Rain significantly lessened over the rest of Maui, so the advisory was reduced to include only the eastern third of the island.

Locations of the advisory include but aren’t limited to Huelo, Kaupo, Kipahulu, Nahiku, Hana, Kailua, Haleakala National Park, Wailua, and Hamoa.

However, weather officials still urged the public to take all precautions and stay away from streams, drainage ditches and areas prone to flooding.

Previous coverage

A flash flood watch remains in effect for Oahu, Maui County and the Big Island through this afternoon. The island of Maui also remains under flood advisory until 9 a.m. but may need to be extended if heavy rainfall continues.

Moderate to heavy rainfall is expected to be widespread, especially across Maui County and the Big Island, weather officials said.

Doppler radar at 5:30 a.m. showed rain falling at a rate of 1 to 2 inches per hour moving across the entire island of Maui.

Stream gages across the eastern half of the island showed elevated water flows continuing in many streams and waterways.

Rainfall and runoff will cause dangerous driving conditions, so the public is urged to take all precautions.