Flood advisory expires but high surf advisory now in effect

UPDATE: 4:45 a.m.

The flood advisory for Maui has expired but a high surf advisory is in effect for most islands.

The north shores of Oahu, Maui and Molokai, and the north and west shores of Kauai County are under a high surf advisory through 6 p.m. Saturday.

Surf up to 10 to 15 today is expected to grow to 15 to 20 feet Saturday, according to the National Weather Service.

Moderate to large breaking waves and strong currents will make entering the water in affected areas hazardous.

Beachgoers are advised to stay well away from the shore on affected coast and to heed all advice from ocean safety officials.

12:15 a.m.

The National Weather Service in Honolulu has issued a flood advisory for the island of Maui in Maui County…

* Until 3:15 a.m.

* At 12:14 a.m., radar indicated heavy rain persisting over eastern Maui near Kaupo and Hana. Rain was falling at a rate of one to two inches per hour.

* Locations in the advisory include but are not limited to Kipahulu, Kaupo, Nahiku, Hana, Kailua and Haleakala National Park.

9:15 p.m.

A flood advisory for Maui has been extended because of persistent heavy rain over the island.

About 8:40 p.m., radar showed rain falling at a rate of about 1 inch per hour with some heavier showers producing rainfall near 2 inches per hour.

The flood advisory was set to expire at 12:15 a.m.

6:45 p.m.

A flood advisory has been issued for Maui as heavy rains doused the western part of the island.

About 6:20 p.m., radar indicated heavy rainfall from Wailea to Kihei to Wailuku. Rain was falling at about 2 inches per hour, leading to localized flooding, the National Weather Service said.

The advisory includes, but is not limited to: Kahului, Wailea, Kihei, Maalaea, Makena, Waikapu, and other areas in the central valley.

The weather service said the advisory was set to expire at 9:15 p.m.

4:40 p.m.

Cool winds following behind a cold front moving down the island chain today will keep temperatures down through the early part of next week, the National Weather Service said.

The cooler winds combined with cloudy skies today brought high temperatures a couple degrees below normal across the state, the weather service said.

Over Oahu and Maui tonight, the cloudy and rainy conditions should improve as the cold front advances. Lows from Kauai to Maui were predicted to be 59 to 64 degrees Fahrenheit tonight.

Friday highs were predicted to be 72 to 77 degrees Fahrenheit with lows of 58 to 63 degrees Fahrenheit.

An area of low pressure is bringing stronger winds to Hawaii island’s summits, and a high wind warning is in effect for those areas through Sunday. A winter weather advisory also remains in effect for the summits until 6 a.m. Friday.

Meanwhile, on Kauai, Kuhio Highway has been reopened to one lane of alternating traffic near Hanalei Bridge, a Kauai spokeswoman said.

The road was closed earlier after downpours led to flooding.

Motorists are advised to drive with caution through the area.

2:08 p.m.

Kuhio Highway near Hanalei Bridge remains closed this afternoon because of flooding, Kauai officials said.

However, a flash flood warning for Kauai and a flood advisory for Oahu have been canceled.

Kauai officials asked residents to call 241-1725 for road closure updates and to not call police unless there is an emergency.

Meanwhile, a high surf advisory remains in effect until 6 a.m. Friday for north- and west-facing shores of Niihau, Kauai, Oahu, and Molokai. The north shores of Maui are also under the advisory.

The National Weather Service said large breaking waves of 10 to 15 feet are expected, making it dangerous to enter the water.

In addition, strong north winds will make the surf rough.

11:30 a.m.

The flash flood warning for Kauai has been extended to 2:15 p.m., and the flood advisory for Oahu has been extended to 2 p.m. today.

Kauai County officials reported that Kuhio Highway at Hanalei Bridge remains closed due to flooding.

Hanalei Elementary School also remains closed today, and there is no bus service for students living in Hanalei, Haena, and Wainiha who attend Kapa‘a Middle School and Kapa‘a High School.

Weather officials said rainfall over the river basin has eased considerably, but it will take several hours for the runoff to subside enough to reopen the highway. The water level in Wainiha River also remains elevated.

The flood advisory for Oahu has been extended to 2 p.m.

Radar at 11 a.m. indicated an area of heavy rain falling at a rate of 1 to 2 inches from Kaneohe to Waimanalo. Additional rain continues over other areas of Oahu at rates up to 1 inch per hour. Weather officials said rainfall in these areas may continue for a few hours before tapering off this afternoon.

A flash flood warning means that flooding is imminent or occurring within the warned area.

With a flood advisory, the public should be aware that rainfall and runoff will cause hazardous driving conditions due to ponding, reduced visibility and poor braking action.

The public should stay away from streams, rivers, drainage ditches, and culverts, even if they are currently dry — and not cross fast-flowing water in a vehicle or on foot.

PREVIOUS COVERAGE

High surf, high winds and heavy rains with a chance of thunderstorms are in store for Hawaii today as a series of large swells approaches the isles, and a cold front sweeps from west to east down the isle chain.

Forecasters said the leading edge of the cold front was expected to pass through Maui County this morning, then move eastward toward Hawaii island by about noon today, bringing heavy showers, along with a few thunderstorms. A brown water advisory has been issued for the isles of Maui and Kauai.

Today’s highs range from 72 to 77 degrees Fahrenheit, with north winds of 15 to 25 mph. Lows tonight dip to 59 to 64 degrees.

Up to five inches of snow is also expected to fall atop Mauna Loa and Mauna Kea, prompting a winter weather advisory to go with the high wind warning already in effect this morning. Travel to the summits is not recommended until winds have subsided.

The National Weather Service has issued the following warnings and advisories:

>> A flash flood warning for Kauai County remains in effect through 11:15 a.m. today due to heavy rains. Weather officials observed the Hanalei River gauge well above threshold levels at about 8 a.m., along with flooding along Kuhio Highway near Hanalei Bridge, which Kauai County officials said remains closed, along with Hanalei Elementary School. Water levels were expected to remain high for the next few hours due to continuing rainfall. Officials warned of high water levels at Hanakapiai Stream, Kawaikoi Stream, and Wainiha River.

>> A flood advisory for Oahu has been extended three more hours to 1:15 p.m. today after radar indicated areas of heavy rain continuing to over the North Shore. The highest rain rates of 1 to 2 inches were along the windward slopes of the Koolau Range from Kaaawa to Kahuku, and over the Waianae Range from Waialua to Kaena Point. Rainfall in these areas may continue for a few hours before tapering off this afternoon. Locations in the advisory include but are not limited to Mililani, Wahiawa, Waialua, Schofield Barracks, Laie, Kahaluu, Punaluu, Waianae, Wheeler Field, Kunia, Kapolei and Waikele.

>> A high surf advisory for the north and west facing shores of Hawaiian isles from Niihau to Maui due to a series of large swells remains in effect through 6 a.m. Friday. Large, breaking waves of 10 to 15 feet are expected along north and west facing shores of Niihau, Kauai, Oahu and Molokai, and north shores of Maui. Strong, northerly winds will bring rough surf. Officials warn the public to stay well away from the shoreline along the affected coasts.

>> A small craft advisory for waters around Oahu and Maui counties remains in effect through 6 p.m. Friday.

Temperatures are expected to drop by 3 to 6 degrees as cold, northerly winds blow in behind the front. Cooler temperatures, cloudy skies and bouts of heavy showers are expected to last through the weekend.

Travel is not recommended at Big Isle summits, where a high wind warning is already in effect, and up to five inches of snowfall is also expected above 10,500 feet.

>> A high wind warning for Big Isle summits above 8,000 feet went into effect at 6 a.m. today and lasts through 11 a.m. Sunday. Officials say sustained wind speeds will range from 45 to 75 mph with localized gusts over 90 mph. Travel to the summits is not recommended until winds have subsided.

>> A winter weather advisory for Big Isle summits goes into effect from noon today to 6 a.m. Friday. Officials warn of snow showers and periods of freezing rain. Travel could be very difficult, with zero visibility at times. The advisory may need to be extended into the afternoon.