Maui News

Hail, Thunderstorms, Waterspouts in Afternoon Forecast

February 6, 2018, 10:03 AM HST
* Updated February 6, 5:33 PM

Listen to this Article
4 minutesLoading Audio... Article will play after ad...

Playing in :00

*Be sure to check back for updates to this post, which will be posted as conditions warrant.

SWIPE LEFT OR RIGHT

Thunderstorms Developing This Afternoon: May Produce Hail and Gusty Winds

The atmosphere over the state is very unstable, and mostly sunny morning conditions will give way to scattered afternoon heavy showers and thunderstorms. Some of these thunderstorms will be capable of producing strong and gusty winds, frequent lightning, intense downpours, and hail.

When thunderstorms approach, you should move indoors. Stay away from windows and electrical appliances until the the storm is over. Be aware that lightning can strike several miles away from a thunderstorm. It does not have to be raining where you are to be struck by lightning.

Remain alert for changing weather conditions.

Flood Advisory for Maui Cancelled (Update: 5:25 p.m. 2.6.18)

ARTICLE CONTINUES BELOW AD

THE FLOOD ADVISORY FOR THE ISLAND OF MAUI IN MAUI COUNTY IS CANCELLED… Weather radar showed that heavy rain has diminished. A Flash Flood Watch remains in effect, and additional heavy showers and thunderstorms will be possible.

Waterspouts reported offshore of Maui:

At 3:05 p.m., a report of two waterspouts was made. The observation was made about 3 miles west of Kīhei, Maui. The phenomenon was also visible from the “Pali” section of the Honoapiʻilani Highway.

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s National Weather Service defines a waterspout with the following description:

“In general, a tornado occurring over water. Specifically, it normally refers to a small, relatively weak rotating column of air over water beneath a Cb or towering cumulus cloud. Waterspouts are most common over tropical or subtropical waters.

ARTICLE CONTINUES BELOW AD
The exact definition of waterspout is debatable. In most cases the term is reserved for small vortices over water that are not associated with storm-scale rotation (i.e., they are the water-based equivalent of landspouts). But there is sufficient justification for calling virtually any rotating column of air a waterspout if it is in contact with a water surface.”

Flash Flood Watch Until 6 p.m. Wednesday

The National Weather Service has also CONTINUED the FLASH FLOOD WATCH for all Hawaiian Islands, in effect until 6 p.m.Wednesday, Feb. 7, 2018.

A Flash Flood Watch means that conditions may develop that lead to flash flooding.

A strong trough in the upper atmosphere will maintain a very unstable atmosphere through Wednesday, with the potential for heavy and sudden shower development that could lead to flash flooding.

A strong trough in the upper atmosphere will continue to bring a chance of very heavy rain and thunderstorms. Extreme rainfall rates with these storms will bring a high potential for flash flooding. Conditions are conducive for the development of terrain-anchored and slow-moving heavy showers and thunderstorms. Rain will also affect urban areas and lower elevations, which are more susceptible to flooding problems.

Flood Advisory for Maui Until 7 p.m. (Update: 4:05 p.m. 2.6.18)

The National Weather Service in Honolulu has issued a Flood advisory for the island of Maui until 7 p.m. At 3:59 p.m., heavy showers and thunderstorms have decreased over windward portions of Maui, while isolated heavy showers and thunderstorms have moved up from the south over leeward portions of the island. Isolated rain rates up to 2 inches per hour can be expected.

ARTICLE CONTINUES BELOW AD

Maui Flood Advisory Until 5 p.m.

The National Weather Service in Honolulu has issued a

* Flood advisory for the island of Maui in Maui County until 5 p.m.

Update 2:52 p.m. : THE FLOOD ADVISORY REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 500 PM HST FOR THE ISLAND OF MAUI IN MAUI COUNTY…

At 249 PM HST…radar indicated that the heaviest showers and thunderstorms have recently developed over the West Maui Mountains and will affect Wailuku and Waikapu in the short term with rain rates up to 3 inches per hour. Areas of moderate to locally heavy rain will also impact windward east Maui.

Locations in the advisory include but are not limited to Kahului, Kapalua, Honokohau, Kahakuloa, Puunene, Haliimaile, Pauwela, Waikapu, Paia, Makawao, Wailuku and Hana.

* At 1:58 p.m., radar indicated heavy rain over the slopes of East Maui . Rain was falling at a rate of up to 3 inches per hour.

Special Marine Warning Until 3:15 p.m.

The National Weather Service in Honolulu has issued a Special Marine Warning for the Alenuihaha Channel and Maui County Windward Waters until 3:15 p.m.

* At 2:18 p.m., a strong thunderstorm capable of producing waterspouts was located just off of windward east Maui near Nahiku, moving east at 10 knots.

Special Marine Warning Until 3 p.m.

The National Weather Service in Honolulu has issued a Special Marine Warning for Maui County Leeward Waters, Pailolo Channel until 300 PM HST

* At 154 PM HST, a strong thunderstorm capable of producing waterspouts was located near Shipwreck Beach, or 7 nm northeast of Lanai City. The strong thunderstorm was moving north slowly.

PC: NOAA/NWS

Special Marine Warning Until 12:30 p.m., Thunderstorm Near Hale O Lono

The National Weather Service in Honolulu has issued a Special Marine Warning for Maui County Leeward Waters until 12:30 p.m. on Tuesday, Feb. 6, 2018.

At 11:25 a.m., a strong thunderstorm capable of producing waterspouts was located 7 nautical miles south of Hale O Lono Harbor, Molokaʻi. The strong thunderstorm was nearly stationary.

Thunderstorms can produce sudden waterspouts. Waterspouts can easily overturn boats and create locally hazardous seas. Seek safe harbor immediately. Frequent lightning is occurring with this storm. If caught on the open water, stay below deck if possible.

Special Marine Warning: Kaiwi Channel Until 10:45 a.m.

The National Weather Service in Honolulu has issued a Special Marine Warning for the Kaiwi Channel (channel separating Oʻahu from Molokaʻi) and Maui County Leeward Waters until 10:45 a.m. on Tuesday, Feb. 6, 2018.

At 9:43 a.m., a strong thunderstorm capable of producing waterspouts was located 12 nautical miles southwest of Lāʻau Point, Molokaʻi.

The strong thunderstorm was nearly stationary.

The NWS says waterspouts can easily overturn boats and create locally hazardous seas. Small craft could be damaged in briefly higher winds and suddenly higher waves.

The strong thunderstorm will remain over mainly open waters.

WATERSPOUTS OFF OF MAUI: At 3:05 p.m., a report of two waterspouts was made. The observation was made about 3 miles west of Kīhei, Maui. This photo was taken from the “Pali” section of the Honoapiʻilani Hwy. PC: (2.6.18) Brown, Mark E.