Weather Update For Maui County: 5:55 p.m. 1/16/09

WEATHER UPDATE FOR MAUI COUNTY:  5:55 P.M.  FRIDAY 1/16/09

The National Weather Service has extended a Flood ADVISORY for the island of Maui in Maui County until 9 p.m.   At 5:24, radar showed moderate to locally heavy rain falling at around 1 inch per hour along the southeast slope of Haleakala.  The area of heavy rain was nearly stationary.  Other locations in the Advisory include but are not limited to Kipahulu Gulch, Kaupo and Hamoa.  The public is advised to stay away from streams, drainage ditches and low lying areas prone to flooding.  Rainfall and runoff will also cause hazardous driving conditions due to ponding, reduced visibility and poor braking action.  This advisory may need to be extended beyond 9 p.m. if heavy rain persists. 

WEATHER UPDATE FOR MAUI COUNTY:  (4:30 P.M.)

Posted by Wendy OSHER

The National Weather Service is forecasting fresh and gusty, though declining, southwest winds to persist over Maui county during the evening as a cold front moves down the island chain. The front will continue to weaken as it moves onto the Big Island tonight. Winds will gradually diminish overnight and Saturday and swing out of the northeast as drier conditions settle over the state through the holiday weekend. Gentle to moderate trade winds will give way moderate to fresh northeasterly winds by mid week as a weak shear line or front moves across the islands.

FLOOD ADVISORY ISSUED FOR ISLAND OF MAUI

KAHULUI-The National Weather Service in Honolulu has issued a Flood ADVISORY for the island of Maui in Maui county until 6 p.m.  At 2:49 p.m., radar showed moderate to heavy rain along the southeast slope of Haleakala.  The area of heavy rain was nearly stationary.  Other locations in the advisory include but are not limited to Kipahulu Gulch, Kaupo and Hamoa.  The National Weather Service advises the public to stay away from streams, drainage ditches and low lying areas prone to flooding. 

WIND ADVISORY FOR MAUI COUNTY CANCELLED

WIND WARNING FOR SUMMITS CONTINUES UNTIL 6 A.M. SATURDAY

A Wind Advisory was CANCELLED a short while ago for Maui County, however, strong winds continue across the summits of Maui and the Big Island.  A High Wind WARNING remains in effect for the summits until 6 o’clock Saturday morning.  West winds across the summits of Mauna Loa, Mauna Kea and Haleakala will be in the 40 to 55 mph range with gusts to 70 mph.  Travel to the summit areas should be delayed until winds subside. 

HIGH SURF WARNING

The National Weather service has issued a High Surf WARNING Large rough surf for the north and west shores of Niihau, Kauai, Oahu, Molokai and Maui, as well as the West shores of the Big Island through Saturday.  The warnings come as the current large northwest swell is reinforced on Saturday.  Meantime, a High Surf ADVISORY has been cancelled on Lanai and the north facing shores of the Big Island where surf has fallen below advisory levels. 

WEATHER UPDATE FOR MAUI COUNTY:  (3:30 P.M.)

FLOOD ADVISORY ISSUED FOR ISLAND OF MAUI 

Posted by Wendy OSHER

KAHULUI-The National Weather Service in Honolulu has issued a Flood ADVISORY for the island of Maui in Maui county until 6 p.m.  At 2:49 p.m., radar showed moderate to heavy rain along the southeast slope of Haleakala.  The area of heavy rain was nearly stationary.  Other locations in the advisory include but are not limited to Kipahulu Gulch, Kaupo and Hamoa.  The National Weather Service advises the public to stay away from streams, drainage ditches and low lying areas prone to flooding.  Rainfall and runoff will also cause hazardous driving conditions in affected areas due to ponding, reduced visibility and poor breaking action.  The agency also advises motorist and pedestrians not to cross fast flowing or rising water.  This advisory may need to be extended beyond 6 p.m. if heavy rain persists.

WEATHER UPDATE FOR MAUI COUNTY:  (2:30 P.M.)

A cold front continues to affect parts of the state, and although gusty southwest winds have not been as strong as expected over Oahu, strong wind gusts will persist across Maui county as the front progresses eastward through this afternoon. The front will be weakening as it moves onto the Big Island early this evening.

Gusts of 40 to 49 mph have been recorded from Kauai to Maui this morning. Localized gusts to 50 mph are still possible on Maui this afternoon.  A high wind warning has been downgraded to an advisory for Molokai, Oahu and Kauai, and a wind advisory remains in effect for the remainder of the lower elevations of Maui county.  High wind warnings remain in effect for the summits of Mauna Kea and Mauna Loa on the Big Island and on the summit of Haleakala on Maui as strong westerly winds aloft continue. Lines of moderate to heavy showers along and ahead of the front will affect the state today, but the showers will be fast-moving.

The storm system has already forced the closure and cancellation of numerous facilities including public schools, most private schools, and the day off for non-essential state and county workers. 

In addition to the closures already mentioned throughout the day, the state has added Makena State Park and `Iao Valley State Park on Maui to the list of closures because of the potential for danger from falling trees and branches, high surf and strong winds.  Pala`au State Park on Moloka`i is also closed.  The DLNR Division of Forestry and Wildlife has closed the parking area to `Ahihi-Kina`u Natural Area Reserve on the island of Maui due to hazardous weather conditions. When weather conditions improve, the areas will be reopened and services resumed.

A brief run of light to moderate trades and rather dry weather is in store for the second half of the holiday weekend. A shear line or weak front will move down the island chain Tuesday or Wednesday, bringing mainly windward showers and moderate to fresh northeasterly winds.

Winds will diminish overnight and Saturday and swing out of the northeast as drier conditions settle over the state through the holiday weekend.

WEATHER UPDATE FOR MAUI COUNTY:  (10:50 a.m.)

Damaging winds from the west and southwest continue as a cold front moves over the state… The system was affecting mostly Kauai and Oahu in the morning hours.  The winds are the strongest ahead of and along the front which will sweep across Maui County with southwesterly winds into the afternoon.

The main areas of concern will be over the mountains and communities to the north and east of the mountains which are prone to gusty downslope winds.

In addition…strong winds will persist across the summits of Mauna Kea and Mauna Loa on the Big Island and across Haleakala on Maui.

A wind advisory means that sustained winds of 30 mph or gusts to 50 mph are expected. Winds this strong can make driving difficult.  The wind advisory is in effect until 6 p.m. for Maui, Lanai, Kahoolawe, and Molokai.

A high wind warning has also been continued for the Haleakala summit until midnight tonight.  A high wind warning means a hazardous high wind event is occurring.  Sustained wind speeds of at least 45 mph with gusts of 60 mph or more can lead to property damage.

Motorists are cautioned that in the event of localized blackouts, traffic lights may be affected. Drivers should use extra care when traveling through intersections where traffic lights are inoperable. Motorists should come to a complete stop and treat it as a 4-way stop intersection.

INFORMATION:  Maui County Civil Defense will continue to monitor the situation.  Please listen to your local radio and TV stations or access NOAA Weather Radio broadcasts for any updates. The NOAA Weather Radio broadcasts can be reached by calling 1-866-944-5052.  The NOAA Weather Internet services can be found at http://www.prh.noaa.gov/hnl/.

Pre-recorded advisories and notifications are available 24-hours a day on the Maui County Automated Information System (AIS) by calling 986-1200.

PRECAUTIONARY MEASURES:  winds this strong can make driving difficult, especially for high profile vehicles. Use extra caution. Secure any loose objects that may become airborne or move them indoors.