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COURTESY LEON HO
Two waterspouts appeared Tuesday afternoon off Maalaea near Maui’s south shore.
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Waterspouts, snow and hail appeared around the islands Tuesday as the entire state remained under a flash-flood watch through this afternoon.
The watch, which went into effect Monday, warned of possible extreme rainfall that could cause flash flooding, the National Weather Service said.
Conditions were favorable for slow-moving heavy showers and rain in urban areas and lower elevations susceptible to flooding.
According to the weather service, an observer reported two waterspouts at about 3 p.m. off Kihei in South Maui.
Another waterspout was reported at about 2:30 p.m. off Ewa Beach. In addition, a “trained spotter” reported pea-size hail falling at about 1:50 p.m. in Keokea, Maui, the weather service said.
The bad weather is being caused by a region of low atmospheric pressure.
Meanwhile, a winter storm warning was also in effect for the summits of Mauna Kea and Mauna Loa until 6 p.m. today. Heavy snow fell Tuesday, and an additional 3 to 5 inches was expected.
Tradewinds will begin returning Thursday.