Twin Waterspouts: Unstable Weather Remains
The state remains under a flash flood watch through this afternoon.
The unstable conditions resulted in thunderstorms, downpours and waterspout activity over south and west Maui waters on Tuesday afternoon. Two waterspouts were reported shortly after 3 p.m. on Tuesday about 3 miles west of Kīhei.
The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration defines a waterspout as a tornado occurring over water. It normally refers to a “small, relatively weak rotating column of air that comes into contact with the water surface” and is most common over tropical or subtropical waters, and is not associated with storm-scale rotation, according to NOAA.
Forecasters with the National Weather Service say locally heavy downpours and isolated thunderstorms with frequent lightning and gusty winds will remain possible today.
Drier and much more stable weather will return beginning late tonight and Thursday through the end of the week as the trough moves east and trade winds spread across the islands, according to the NWS.
Flood Watch Until 6 p.m. 2.7.18:
(Courtesy National Weather Service)
The National Weather Service has CONTINUED the FLASH FLOOD WATCH for Maui County, in effect until 6 p.m. today. A Flash Flood Watch means that conditions may develop that lead to flash flooding. A strong trough aloft will continue to provide unstable conditions today, with the potential for locally heavy downpours and thunderstorms that could produce flash flooding. Conditions are favorable for the development of slow-moving heavy showers. Rain will also affect urban areas and lower elevations, which are more susceptible to flooding problems.
PC: Caryl and Mark Wilson/Facebook via Maui Now (2.6.18)
Waterspout just south of Olowalu, Maui. PC: 2.6.18 by Tammy Gruenes
This photo was snapped from North Kīhei just south of the Humpback Whale Marine Sanctuary Visitor Center. There is a waterspout on each side of the tree in the middle. PC: 2.6.18 at 3:10 p.m. by Joe Zurawski
Twin waterspouts off Maui. PC: 2.6.18 by Sydney Elizabeth
Twin waterspouts off Maui – view from Kīhei. PC: 2.6.18 by John Laramie
Waterspout viewed from Kīhei, Maui. PC: 2.6.18 by Ian Shepherd
Waterspout dissipating over Maui. PC: 2.6.18 by Lawrence Agaran
Waterspout over Maui. PC: 2.6.18 by Kathy Kuhl Westling
Waterspout off of Maui. PC: 2.6.18. Tracy Elliot
Waterspout off of Maui. 2.6.18. PC: Melissa Kreutner
Waterspout off of Maui. 2.6.18. PC: Jennifer Cox Kasper
Waterspout viewed from N Kīhei. PC: 2.6.18. Tyler Riedy
Waterspout from Sugar Beach, Maui today 2-6-18. PC: Starla Sage
Waterspout from Sugar Beach, Maui today 2-6-18. PC: Starla Sage
Waterspout from Sugar Beach, Maui today 2-6-18. PC: Starla Sage
Waterspout from Sugar Beach, Maui today 2-6-18. PC: Starla Sage
Waterspout from Sugar Beach, Maui today 2-6-18. PC: Starla Sage
Waterspout observed off of West Maui. PC: 2.6.18 by Chuck Bergson
Waterspouts off Maui. PC: (2.6.18) Mary Ann Bondy
Waterspout a few miles offshore of Kīhei on 2.6.18 by Regina Lemm. She said that two were sited side by side at about 3 p.m.
Waterspouts off Maui. PC: (2.6.18) Mary Ann Bondy
Waterspouts off Maui. PC: (2.6.18) Mary Ann Bondy
Waterspouts off Maui. PC: (2.6.18) Mary Ann Bondy
Waterspouts off Maui. PC: (2.6.18) Mary Ann Bondy
Waterspouts off Maui. PC: (2.6.18) Mary Ann Bondy
Waterspouts off “Pali” section of Honoapiʻilani Hwy. PC: (2.6.18) Brown, Mark E.
Waterspouts off “Pali” section of Honoapiʻilani Hwy. PC: (2.6.18) Brown, Mark E.
PC: 2.6.18 Pedro Ortiz
PC: 2.6.18 Pedro Ortiz
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