Isolated Showers to Melt into Sunshine

Sunrise over Kahului today. Photo by Wendy Osher.

By Wendy Osher

Heavy rains and thunderstorms brought wet weather to the windward side of the Big Island of Hawaiʻi overnight.

The National Weather Service issued a Special Weather Statemetn at 9:49 a.m., saying strong thunderstorms continue to rumble over the Hilo and Puna districts.

According to the NWS, radar showed an area of strong thunderstorms along the shore from Laupāhoehoe to 10 miles east of Hilo, shortly before 10 a.m.

NWS forecasters say wind gusts were blowing at 40 mph with frequent lightning, very heavy rain, and “pea-size” hail possible.

At 9:02 a.m. today a flash-flood warning was issued for Hawaiʻi Island, with rain falling at rates of 2-3 inches per hour in Hilo and Puna, the National Weather Service said. The warning remains in effect until noon.

Forecasters said the system is expected slide east of the Big Island today leaving only isolated showers over the eastern portion of the state.

The National Weather Service forecast for Kahului, Maui calls for isolated showers between 8 a.m. and noon; and mostly sunny skies later today with highs near 82 degrees.

Twenty-four-hour rain totals on Maui through 5:45 a.m. today included: 1.52 inches in Hāna; 0.40 in Haʻikū; 0.87 in Pukalani; 0.26 in Puʻu Kukui; and 1.6 at Puʻu Aliʻi, Molokaʻi.