Honolulu Star-Advertiser

Friday, April 26, 2024 73° Today's Paper


Flood advisories expire, flash flood watch remains in place for smaller islands through late tonight

Nina Wu

UPDATE: 10:30 p.m.

Tonight’s flood advisory for Oahu has been canceled but a flash flood watch remains for Kauai County, Oahu, and Maui County through late tonight. Heavy showers will primarily affect windward areas, but some leeward areas may be impacted as well.

9 p.m.

A flood advisory is in effect for Oahu until 11:45 tonight.

Radar this evening indicated heavy rain over portions of Windward and Central Oahu. Rain was falling at a rate of 1 to 3 inches per hour.

Locations in the advisory include but are not limited to Waikane, Waiahole, Kahaluu, Kaaawa, Ahuimanu, Punaluu, Mililani, Hauula, Halawa, Wahiawa, Kaneohe, Moanalua, Kaneohe Marine Base, Laie, Maunawili and Kailua.

4 p.m.

All flood advisories for Hawaii have either been canceled or have now expired.

A flash flood watch for Kauai County, Oahu, and Maui County remains through late tonight due to the threat of heavy showers and thunderstorms. Heavy showers will primarily affect windward areas, but some leeward areas may be impacted as well.

At about 3 p.m., the National Weather Service issued an alert about a strong thunderstorm impacting the leeward side of Hawaii island, including Milolii. At 2:53 p.m., the thunderstorm was located 12 miles south of Honaunau or 26 miles south of Kailua-Kona, bringing the possibility of pea-sized hail.

The only advisory that remains in place is a small craft advisory for Maalaea Bay, Pailolo and Alenuihaha channels, and leeward and southeast Hawaii island waters, in effect until 6 p.m. Saturday.

The state Health Department has issued brown water advisories for the island of Maui and Hanalei, Anahola and Wailua Bays on Kauai due to stormwater runoff entering coastal waters.

>> RELATED STORY: California woman, 26, dies in flash flood at Waioka Pond on Maui

1 p.m.

The National Weather Service has issued a flood advisory for Hawaii island through 3:45 p.m. today.

At 12:36 p.m., radar indicated heavy rain over Kailua-Kona and Holualoa. Rain was falling at a rate of 1 to 2 inches per hour.

Locations in the advisory include but are not limited to Kailua-Kona, Captain Cook, Kealakekua, Kainaliu, Honalo, Honaunau, Kahaluu-Keauhou, Holualoa, Kalaoa, Puuanahulu, Kona International Airport, and Milolii.

Flood advisories also remain in place for the island of Molokai and Maui through this afternoon, and a flash flood watch for Kauai County, Oahu and Maui remains in place through tonight.

A special marine warning has been issued for Alenuihaha Channel and Hawaii island leeward waters through 1:45 p.m. today. A strong thunderstorm was located south of Honokanaia late this morning, and boaters should seek safe harbor immediately until the storm passes.

10:45 a.m.

The National Weather Service has issued flood advisory for the island of Molokai through 1:30 p.m. today, and extended the flood advisory for Maui another three hours to 2 p.m. today.

At 10:29 a.m., radar indicated heavy showers moving over large portions of the island of Molokai, with rainfall especially persistent over windward areas, the weather service said. Additional moisture moving in from the east is expected to support heavy shower formation for the next couple of hours, forecasters said. Rainfall rates up to 2 inches an hour in heavier showers will lead to rising water levels in streams, forecasters said.

Locations in the advisory include Kalaupapa National Park, Kawela, Kaunakakai, Kualapuu, Kamalo, Hoolehua, Ualapue, Pukoo, Halawa Valley and Molokai Airport.

At 10:32 a.m. in Maui County, radar indicated the continuation of persistent heavy showers over the windward slopes of Haleakala, and additional heavy showers affecting the windward side of West Maui, according to the advisory. Rainfall rates up to 2 inches an hour in the heavier showers are leading to elevated water levels in streams and rivers.

The advisory covers Huelo, Pauwela, Paia, Keanae, Puunene, Nahiku, Wailuku, Waiehu,Waikapu, Kipahulu, Waihee, Kaupo, Hana and Kahakuloa.

The weather service warns the public to stay away from streams, drainage ditches and low-lying areas prone to flooding, and be aware that rainfall and runoff will cause hazardous driving conditions. Fast-flowing or rising water should not be crossed in a vehicle or by foot.

PREVIOUS COVERAGE

The National Weather Service has issued a flood advisory for the island of Maui this morning, in effect through 11 a.m., while a flash flood watch for Kauai County has been extended to Oahu and Maui County, as well, through late tonight.

At 9:20 a.m., radar indicated that heavy showers and thunderstorms were persistently forming over the windward slopes of Haleakala, with additional heavy showers also affecting windward west Maui.

Rainfall was falling at rates of close to 2 inches an hour in heavier showers, leading to rising water levels in streams and rivers, and the advisory may have to be extended to later today.

Locations in the advisory include but are not limited to Huelo, Pauwela, Paia, Keanae, Puunene, Nahiku, Wailuku, Waiehu, Waikapu, Kipahulu, Waihee, Kaupo, Hana and Kahakuloa.

Weather officials have also issued a flash flood watch for Kauai County, as well as Oahu and Maui County through late tonight due to moisture from the dissipating cold front and instability from a lingering trough near the state.

Although the front will weaken and drift away today, this combination will keep a wet tradewind weather pattern through Friday.

The forecast for today is mostly cloudy with likely showers and a slight chance of thunderstorms, and highs from 78 to 83 degrees Fahrenheit. Skies tonight remain mostly cloudy, as well, with scattered showers and lows from 67 to 72 degrees.

East winds are expected to maintain speeds of 15 to 20 mph through tonight and the rest of the week.

A winter weather advisory is also in place for the summits of Mauna Kea and Mauna Loa on Hawaii island through this evening due to sub-freezing temperatures which will bring periods of snow and freezing rain. One to two inches of snow is expected.

Surf for all shores remains below advisory levels as a current, northwest swell continues to decline.

Surf at 7 to 10 feet on north shores this morning is expected to lower to 5 to 7 feet Friday, while surf of 5 to 7 feet on west shores is expected to lower to 3 to 5 feet Friday.

Surf on south and east shores remains at 0 to 2 feet and 2 to 4 feet, respectively, today and Friday.

Forecasters expect a gradual drying trend this weekend and easterly trades to continue.

By participating in online discussions you acknowledge that you have agreed to the Terms of Service. An insightful discussion of ideas and viewpoints is encouraged, but comments must be civil and in good taste, with no personal attacks. If your comments are inappropriate, you may be banned from posting. Report comments if you believe they do not follow our guidelines. Having trouble with comments? Learn more here.