Wet Weather Moving Toward Maui Through Friday

Water shown flowing from the ‘Iao Stream between Wailuku and Happy Valley. File photo by Wendy Osher.

By Wendy Osher

An area of moisture moving towards the islands from the east is expected to produce heavy showers and possible thunderstorms over Maui and the Big Island of Hawaii through Friday night.

The National Weather Service issued a flood watch for both islands saying the wet weather and instability will mainly affect the windward slopes tonight through tomorrow evening.

The flood watch is in effect from 6 p.m. tonight, through late Friday.

Forecasters from the NWS say heavy showers focused mainly along the windward slopes will bring high chances for flooding; while afternoon convection will bring a flood threat to the leeward slopes.

Authorities say the public should avoid camping or hiking near streams and low-lying areas that are prone to flooding.

A “flash flood watch” means that conditions may develop that lead to flash flooding. The NWS notes that it does not have to be raining heavily in a particular area for flash flooding to occur there.

Short Term Forecast: 10:58 a.m. 2/21/13 Flood Advisory Maui

A flood advisory has been issued for the island of Maui until 1:45 p.m. on Thursday, Feb. 21.

At 10:45 a.m., radar showed moderate showers moving over the windward and East Maui slopes from the area just east of Haiku to Hana and Kaupo.

Forecasters from the National Weather Service say stream gauges along the windward East Maui area indicate elevated stream levels.

Other locations in the advisory include, but are not limited to Huelo, Nahiku and Hamoa.