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Flood advisory for Oahu canceled but wet, humid conditions to linger

COURTESY NOAA
                                This enhanced-color satellite image shows showers over parts of Kauai and Oahu around midday today.

COURTESY NOAA

This enhanced-color satellite image shows showers over parts of Kauai and Oahu around midday today.

UPDATE: 5:45 p.m.

The flood advisory for Oahu and flash flood watch for Kauai and Niihau have been canceled but forecasters at the National Weather Service expect Friday may be a repeat of today’s wet, humid conditions for the western islands.

Some areas on Oahu saw 1 to 2 inches of rain in the three hours ending at about 4:45 p.m., with Maunawili receiving more than 3 inches — the most rainfall on the island.

The forecast for Friday calls for more possible heavy showers and a few thunderstorms, especially over the western islands, light winds and high humidity.

”A more typical trade wind weather pattern will gradually fill in from east to west over the weekend and on into next week as high pressure builds in to our north,” forecasters said.

3:30 p.m

The National Weather Service has extended the flood advisory for Oahu until 6:15 p.m. as heavy rain continued to fall on parts of the island this afternoon.

“At 3:16 p.m., radar indicated heavy rain over portions of Oahu. Rain was falling at a rate of 1 to 2 inches per hour,” the latest advisory says.

The advisory covers Honolulu, Waimanalo, Wahiawa, Waialua, Schofield Barracks, Hawaii Kai, Ahuimanu, Punaluu, Wheeler Field, Kapolei, Waikele and Kalihi, forecasters said.

1:25 p.m.

The National Weather Service has canceled the flood advisory for parts of Kauai, but the Oahu advisory remains in place.

A flash flood watch for Kauai and Niihau remains in place through this afternoon.

12:45 p.m.

Radar showing heavy rain near Waimanalo prompted weather officials to post a flood advisory for Oahu and the western half of Kauai today.

Rain was observed falling at a rate of 1 to 2 inches per hour, according to the National Weather Service. The heaviest rain is falling over Windward and Central Oahu. “However, heavy rain could begin to fall elsewhere in a short period of time,” the National Weather Service said in a bulletin.

The advisory is posted through 3:30 p.m.

Locations in the advisory include, but are not limited to, Honolulu, Waimanalo, Wahiawa, Waialua, Schofield Barracks, Hawaii Kai, Ahuimanu, Punaluu, Wheeler Field, Kapolei, Waikele and Kalihi.

For Kauai, weather service forecasters issued a flood advisory for until 3 p.m. The advisory covers Lihue, Kilauea, Anahola, Wailua, Omao, North Fork Wailua Trails, Koloa, Moloaa, Poipu, Wailua Homesteads, Kapaa and Puhi.

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A flash flood watch is in effect for Oahu, Kauai and Niihau through this afternoon.

The National Weather Service said a combination of deep moisture over the western part of the state and a passing upper-level disturbance is expected to produce heavy showers and thunderstorms that could lead to flash flooding.

A high surf advisory is also in effect with surf up to 5 to 9 feet forecast for south shores across the island chain.

Meteorologists warned beach-goers of hazardous ocean conditions as strong breaking waves as well as strong longshore and rip currents anticipated.

The high surf advisory is in effect until 6 p.m. Friday.

The public is urged to exercise caution and heed the advice of lifeguards.

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