State remains under flash flood watch

• Rains bring sewage spills, runoff to Windward Oahu beaches

UPDATE: 1:50 a.m.

Although a flash flood warning for Kauai was canceled early this morning, a statewide flash flood watch remains in effect through this afternoon.

The National Weather Service also earlier issued a high surf advisory, which is in effect from 6 a.m. today to 6 a.m. Monday.

10 p.m.

A flash flood warning has been issued for Kauai until 1:45 a.m. Friday.

“At 10:07 p.m., emergency management reported that Kuhio Highway at the Hanalei Bridge remains closed due to flooding from the earlier heavy rains. The river continues to recede slowly,” the National Weather Service advisory said.

Locations in the warning include but are not limited to Lihue, Kilauea, Mana, Hanalei, Na Pali State Park, Omao, Wainiha, North Fork Wailua Trails, Moloaa, Wailua Homesteads, Kalaheo and Wailua.

Hanalei School is now open as a Red Cross Shelter.

A flash flood watch continues for all islands through Friday afternoon. The areas at greatest risk for heavy rain and possible thunderstorms are the east and southeast slopes of all islands, according to the weather service.

In addition, a high surf and small craft advisory are in effect through 6 a.m. Monday for east-facing shores of Oahu, Big Island, Maui, Kauai, and Molokai. Strong winds and an incoming east swell are expected to produce combined seas above advisory level.

Surf is expected to reach up to 6 to 9 feet along east shores.

1:20 p.m.

A flood advisory for Hawaii island has expired, however the entire state remains under a flash flood watch through Friday afternoon.

The National Weather Service radar shows heavy rain south of Oahu and Maui County and forecasters say showers and thunderstorms are possible today throughout the islands.

12:15 p.m.

With heavy snow occurring on Big Island summits above 12,000 feet, the National Weather Service has issued a winter storm warning, in effect until 6 p.m. Friday.

Six to 12 inches of snow is expected at the highest elevations, with higher amounts possible. A winter storm warning for snow means severe winter weather conditions are occurring and strong winds are also possible, making travel very hazardous or impossible.

10:25 a.m.

A flash flood warning for Maui has been canceled but a flood advisory for the eastern side of Hawaii island has been extended until 1:15 p.m., National Weather Service forecasters said this morning.

”At 10:17 a.m., radar indicated heavy rain, with rainfall rates of 1 to 2 inches per hour in some locations, moving onshore from Kapoho to Naalehu,” said the advisory, which also covers Laupahoehoe, Pepeekeo, Hilo, Orchidlands Estates, Glenwood, Volcano, Keaau, Hawaii Volcanoes National Park, and Pahala.

All islands remain under a flash flood watch until Friday afternoon.

PREVIOUS COVERAGE

The entire state is under a flash flood watch today and the eastern side of Maui is under a flood warning as Hawaii’s wet winter continues.

The National Weather Service said this morning that “at 7:16 a.m., radar indicated stationary thunderstorms producing heavy rain upslope from Kipahulu and Kaupo. A stream gauge at Oheo Gulch was showing a rapid rise as well. Flash flooding is expected to begin shortly.” The flash flood warning for the area, which includes Kaupo, Kipahulu and Hana, is in effect unto 10:15 a.m.

A flood advisory was also issued for parts of Hawaii island until 10:15 a.m. “At 7:25 a.m., radar indicated slow-moving heavy rain extending from Pepeekeo to Hilo to Glenwood and Volcano. In addition, radar showed more heavy rain will be overspreading the Puna and portions of the Kau districts over the next couple of hours.” The advisory covers Pepeekeo, Hilo, Keaau, Hawaiian Paradise Park, Pahoa, Mountain View, Glenwood, Volcano, and Hawaii Volcanoes National Park.

The entire state meanwhile is under a flash flood watch until Friday afternoon.

“Another round of unsettled weather is upon the islands once more, with the wet weather spreading to the smaller islands from the south and east today,” forecasters said. “Periods of heavy rains and a slight chance of a thunderstorm will persist into the weekend.”

NWS forecaster Robert Ballard said it’s possible some areas could get several inches of rain, but it’s going to be localized and probably “mostly terrain focused.”

“It’s not going to be quite the same as last Sunday, where we had widespread thunderstorms over lots of areas,” said Ballard, “but we still have a strong possibility for localized, intense rainfall. The best chance is over the windward and southeast section of the island.”

For the rest of the work week, forecasters are keeping an eye on heavy rains and thunderstorms. The areas of most concern are in the windward and mauka areas.

“We may have to extend the watch into the weekend,” said Ballard. “Right now, we’re not sure when conditions will improve.”

Due to increasing instability, heavy showers and thunderstorms could develop rapidly and lead to flash flooding in a short period of time., according to forecasters, with areas that have received rain recently being more susceptible to flash flooding.”

In addition, the weather service issued a winter weather advisory for Big Island summits until 6 p.m. Friday with snow up to 5 inches likely in some areas. Forecasters warn motorists of slippery road conditions and reduced visibility.