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Flash flood warning canceled for Oahu but wet, chilly weather continues

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ED LYNCH / ELYNCH@STARADVERTISER.COM

Rainy weather and choppy surf left Sandy Beach nearly empty this morning.

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Snow atop Haleakala on Maui. Photo courtesy David Schoonover.

UPDATE: 9:15 a.m.

The flash flood warning for Oahu has been canceled.

However, radar showed moderate showers continue over portions of Windward Oahu.

Meanwhile, a flood advisory is in effect for the island of Maui through noon today.

Radar at 8:55 a.m. showed heavy rain over the north- and northeast-facing slopes and coasts of Maui, the National Weather Service said.

“The heavy rain is banked along the windward slopes of the West Maui mountains, upslope of communities from Wailuku to Waihee to Kahakuloa to Napili,” the NWS said. “Additional heavy rain is along the windward slopes of Haleakala from Nahiku to Makawao. Rain was falling at a rate of 1 to 2 inches per hour.”

Locations in the advisory include, but are not limited to, Honokohau, Kahakuloa, Haliimaile, Paia, Makawao, Wailuku, Waihee, Kaanapali, Kula, Pukalani and Napili-Honokowai.

8:25 a.m.

The flash flood warning for Oahu has been extended through 11 a.m. today.

Radar at 8:10 a.m. showed heavy rain continuing to fall on Oahu’s North Shore between Waimea and Kahuku, the National Weather Service said. Rainfall rates up to 1 inch per hour were observed.

While heavy rain had eased over Windward Oahu, another surge of heavy rainfall is poised to move ashore shortly, the NWS said.

Locations in the warning include, but are not limited to, Ahuimanu, Punaluu, Hauula, Kailua, Maunawili, Kaneohe, Waikane, Kaneohe Marine Base, Waiahole, Kahaluu, Laie and Kahuku.

7:25 a.m.

Radar at 7:20 a.m. showed heavy rain had eased over southwest Oahu but a flash flood warning remains in effect for the island through 8:15 a.m.

Moderate to heavy rainfall continued to soak the area from Hauula to Laie to Kahuku to Waimea, with rainfall rates between 1 and 2 inches per hour, the National Weather Service said.

Locations in the warning include, but are not limited to, Punaluu, Hauula, Malaekahana, Sunset Beach and Kahuku.

5:20 a.m.

The flash flood warning for Oahu has been extended through 8:15 a.m. today.

Radar at 5:12 a.m. showed heavy rain and thunderstorms near Pupukea, Punaluu and Hauula, the National Weather Service said.

Rain was falling at a rate of 1 to 2 inches per hour. Local area stream gauges continue to show elevated water levels.

“Locations in the warning include, but are not limited to, Ahuimanu, Punaluu, Hauula, Kailua, Maunawili, Kaneohe, Waikane, Kaneohe Marine Base, Waiahole, Kahaluu, Laie and Kahuku.

4:40 a.m.:

A flash flood warning is in effect for Oahu through 5:45 a.m. today.

Radar at 2:51 a.m. showed heavy rain near Hauula and Punaluu, according to the National Weather Service. Rain was falling at a rate of 1 to 3 inches per hour and flash flooding was occurring near Hauula Elementary School.

Locations in the warning include, but are not limited to, Ahuimanu, Hauula, Kailua, Kaneohe, Waikane, Kaneohe Marine Base, Laie, Waiahole, Kahaluu, Punaluu, Kahuku and Kaaawa.

Meanwhile, a flash flood watch is in effect for the rest of the state through early Friday morning.

“A Kona low will move over the state today producing slow-moving heavy rain and scattered thunderstorms across the island chain,” the NWS said. “Slow moving heavy showers will increase the threat of flash flooding statewide.”

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A winter storm warning continues for the summits of Haleakala and Hawaii island as cold air continues to move over the isles, weather officials said.

In addition to periods of freezing rain and snow, travel to the summits will remain extremely dangerous and should be avoided, officials said. The warning remains in effect through 6 p.m. Thursday.

The summit district at Haleakala National Park will remain closed through Friday, officials said, due to the winter storm on Sunday that left snow, ice, fallen trees and loose rocks on roads. Rangers are enforcing the park closure at the summit entrance at the 6,500-foot elevation level to ensure visitor safety.

“We look forward to welcoming visitors back up here when the weather warms and conditions are safe,” said superintendent Natalie Gates in a news release.

The Kipahulu district of Haleakala National Park, meanwhile, remains open as well as the Kipahulu campground and Pools of ‘Ohe‘o.

Overnight temperatures statewide dipped into the 50s and 60s and will continue to hover in the high 60s as a weak cold front passes through the islands, the National Weather Service said.

Forecasters said colder air, showers and breezy to windy trade winds will ride in behind the front as it passes through the islands today. In addition, a sharp, upper-level trough will enhance clouds and showers behind the front, strong trade winds will lift these showers over windward and mountain areas through this evening with rain drifting into leeward sections.

A new “Kona low” will develop over the state on Thursday, bringing more unsettled, wet weather through Sunday. Unsettled weather is expected to linger over Hawaii through the first half of next week as the low drifts toward the northwest away from the islands.

A high surf warning for the eastern shores from Kauai to the Big Island remains in effect through 6 p.m. Thursday as a large, north-northwest swell builds. Life-threatening surf of 18 to 22 feet is expected along those shores today, lowering to 14 to 18 feet Thursday, the weather service said. A high surf advisory also remains in effect for the northern shores from Kauai to the Big Island through 6 p.m. Thursday.

Weather officials also issued marine weather statement warning of strong surges into exposed north facing harbors, including Kahului and Hilo, through Thursday.

Besides strong, breaking waves, weather officials warn of strong longshore and rip currents. Anyone entering the waters at shores under the high surf warning could face significant injury or death, they said.

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