Special Marine Warning with threat of thunderstorms and waterspouts

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• Maui severe weather updates for Tuesday, Jan. 9, 2024
• Flash flooding prompts school closures on Maui
• Maui road closures due to severe weather
• Special Marine Warning with threat of thunderstorms and waterspouts
• Maui severe weather photos: Jan. 9 cold front impacts the state
• No immediate damages reported after Monday evening’s Tornado Warning on Molokaʻi

Special Marine Warning – Big Island waters until 3:45 p.m.
Update: 1:51 p.m., Jan. 9, 2024

The National Weather Service has issued a Special Marine Warning for Big Island leeward, southeast and windward waters until 3:45 p.m. At 1:50 p.m., a line of showers capable of producing waterspouts and wind gusts over 34 knots was located over FAD Buoy A, or near Discovery Harbour, moving northeast at 30 knots. Waterspouts and wind gusts 34 knots or greater are in the forecast.

“Waterspouts can easily overturn boats and create locally hazardous seas. Small craft could be damaged in briefly higher winds and suddenly higher waves,” according to the NWS.

Those in the impacted area should prepare for gusty winds, steep and fast-building seas, and blinding downpours. “Stay low or go below, and make sure all on board are wearing life jackets. Strong shower or thunderstorm cells can produce sudden waterspouts. Waterspouts can easily overturn boats and create locally hazardous seas. Seek safe harbor immediately,” the NWS advises.

Special Marine Warning – Big Island waters until 1 p.m.
Update: 11:23 a.m., Jan. 9, 2024

The National Weather Service has issued a Special Marine Warning for Big Island southeast and windward waters until 1 p.m. At 11:22 a.m., showers capable of producing waterspouts were located 7 nautical miles south of FAD Buoy RN, or 11 nautical miles southeast of Kawa Flats, moving northeast at 25 knots.

The NWS reports that waterspouts and wind gusts 34 knots or greater. “Waterspouts can easily overturn boats and create locally hazardous seas. Small craft could be damaged in briefly higher winds and suddenly higher waves,” according to the NWS.

Those in the impacted area should prepare for gusty winds, steep and fast-building seas, and blinding downpours. “Stay low or go below, and make sure all on board are wearing life jackets. Strong shower or thunderstorm cells can produce sudden waterspouts. Waterspouts can easily overturn boats and create locally hazardous seas. Seek safe harbor immediately,” the NWS advises.

Special Marine Warning – strong thunderstorms over waters
Update: 8:59 a.m., Jan. 9, 2024

The National Weather Service is reporting strong thunderstorms over Big Island leeward waters. At 8:56 a.m. HST, Doppler radar showed strong thunderstorms, capable of producing winds to around 30 knots. These thunderstorms were located near 35 nm southwest of South Point, or 40 nm southwest of Discovery Harbor, moving north at 15 knots.

“These strong thunderstorms will likely produce winds to around 30 knots…and could pose a serious hazard for boaters. A special marine warning may eventually be required when these storms reach the nearshore waters. Boaters should consider heading for shore before these storms arrive,” the NWS advises.

Special Marine Warning units 9:30 a.m. with threat of waterspouts
Update: 7:31 a.m., Jan. 9, 2024

The National Weather Service has issued a Special Marine Warning for Big Island leeward waters until 9:30 a.m. At 7:30 a.m., a severe thunderstorm capable of producing waterspouts was located 15 nautical miles west of FAD Buoy TT, or 19 nm west of Miloliʻi, moving northeast at 15 knots. Waterspouts and wind gusts 34 knots or greater are in the forecast.

The NWS advises that small craft could be damaged in briefly higher winds and suddenly higher waves. As a precaution, those in impacted areas should move to safe harbor until hazardous weather passes.

“Thunderstorms can produce sudden waterspouts. Waterspouts can easily overturn boats and create locally hazardous seas. Seek safe harbor immediately,” the NWS advisory states.

Special Marine Warning units 6:30 a.m. with threat of waterspouts
Update: 4:34 a.m., Jan. 9, 2024

The National Weather Service has issued a Special Marine Warning for the ʻAlenuihāhā Channel, Big Island leeward, southwest and windward waters, and Maui County windward waters until 6:30 a.m.

At 4:33 a.m., strong thunderstorms capable of producing waterspouts was located 11 nautical miles west of FAD Buoy XX, or 23 nautical miles northwest of Kona International Airport, moving north at 35 knots. Waterspouts and wind gusts to 40 knots are in the forecast.

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

Locations impacted include: FAD Buoy OT, ʻUpolu Point, FAD Buoy C, FAD Buoy B, Kawaihae Harbor, FAD Buoy F, FAD Buoy M, and Keāhole Point.

Individuals in the impacted area should prepare for gusty winds, steep and fast-building seas, and blinding downpours. Stay low or go below, and make sure all on board are wearing life jackets.

The NWS advises that thunderstorms can produce sudden waterspouts. Waterspouts can easily overturn boats and create locally hazardous seas. “Seek safe harbor immediately,” the NWS advises.

Special Marine Warning units 5:45 a.m. with threat of waterspouts
Update: 3:49 a.m., Jan. 9, 2024

The National Weather Service has issued a Special Marine Warning for the ʻAlenuihāhā, Kaiwi and Pailolo channels, Māʻalaea Bay, and Maui County leeward and windward waters until 5:45 a.m.

At 3:48 a.m., strong thunderstorms capable of producing waterspouts were located near FAD Buoy LA, or 7 nm northwest of Honokanaia, moving north-northeast at 40 knots. Waterspouts and wind gusts to nearly 50 knots are in the forecast.

The NWS advises that small craft could be damaged in briefly higher winds and suddenly higher waves.

Locations impacted include: Cape Hālawa, ʻĪlio Point (Molokaʻi), FAD Buoy K, Kahului Harbor, FAD Buoy MC, Kaumalapau Harbor, Hale O Lono Harbor, and FAD Buoy CC.

Individuals in the impacted area should prepare for gusty winds, steep and fast-building seas, and blinding downpours. Stay low or go below, and make sure all on board are wearing life jackets.

The NWS advises that thunderstorms can produce sudden waterspouts. Waterspouts can easily overturn boats and create locally hazardous seas. “Seek safe harbor immediately,” the NWS advises.

Special Marine Warning units 3:45 a.m. with threat of waterspouts
Update: 1:51 a.m., Jan. 9, 2024

The National Weather Service has issued a Special Marine Warning for: the Kaiwi Channel, Maui County and Oʻahu Leeward and Windward waters, and the Pailolo Channel until 3:45 a.m.

At 1:50 a.m., strong thunderstorms capable of producing waterspouts were located 23 nm northeast of FAD Buoy O, or 29 nm north of Kalaupapa National Park, Molokaʻi, moving northeast at 35 knots. Waterspouts and wind gusts to 40 knots are in the forecast.

“Waterspouts can easily overturn boats and create locally hazardous seas. Small craft could be damaged in briefly higher winds and suddenly higher waves,” the NWS advises.

Locations impacted include: Lāʻau Point (SW Molokaʻi), Kalaupapa (Molokaʻi), Honolulu Harbor, Kaiolohia “Shipwreck” Beach (Lānaʻi), ʻĪlio Point (Molokaʻi), FAD Buoy O, FAD Buoy P, and FAD Buoy MC.

As a precaution, the public in impacted areas should prepare for gusty winds, steep and fast-building seas, and blinding downpours. Stay low or go below, and make sure all on board are wearing life jackets.

Special Marine Warning with threat of thunderstorms, waterspouts
Update: 12:24 a.m., Jan. 9, 2024

The National Weather Service has issued a Special Marine Warning for: the Alenuihaha Channel, Māʻalaea Bay, Maui County Leeward and Windward waters, and the Pailolo Channel until 2:30 a.m.

At 12:24 a.m., showers capable of producing waterspouts were located along a line extending from 14 nm northeast of FAD Buoy N to 6 nm southeast of FAD Buoy SO, moving northeast at 40 knots, according to the NWS.

Waterspouts and wind gusts to 40 knots are expected.

The NWS advises that waterspouts can create locally hazardous seas. Small craft could be damaged in briefly higher winds and suddenly higher waves.

Locations impacted include: FAD Buoy HS, FAD Buoy HO, Cape Hālawa, Lahaina Harbor, FAD Buoy K, Maliko Boat Ramp, Kahului Harbor and FAD Buoy N.

As a precaution, the public in affected areas should prepare for gusty winds, steep and fast-building seas, and blinding downpours. “Stay low or go below, and make sure all on board are wearing life jackets. Waterspouts can easily overturn boats and create locally hazardous seas. Seek safe harbor immediately,” the NWS advises.

Update: 8:26 p.m., Jan. 8, 2024

The National Weather Service has issued a Special Marine Warning for the Kaiwi, Kauaʻi and Pill Channels, Maui County Windward and Leeward waters, and Oʻahu Leeward and Windward waters until 10:30 p.m. on Monday, Jan. 8, 2024.

At 8:22 p.m., strong thunderstorms capable of producing waterspouts were located along a line extending from 15 nm north of FAD Buoy O to 16 nm southwest of FAD Buoy CC, moving northeast at 25 knots.

“Waterspouts can easily overturn boats and create locally hazardous seas. Small craft could be damaged in briefly higher winds and suddenly higher waves. Locations impacted include: FAD Buoy O, FAD Buoy N, Mānele Harbor, FAD Buoy MC, Cape Hālawa, Kaumalapau Harbor, Hale O Lono Harbor, and Kaiolohia “Shipwreck” Beach (Lānaʻi),” according to the NWS.

At 8:23 p.m., strong thunderstorms capable of producing strong wind gusts were located near FAD Buoy S, or 9 nautical miles west of Māʻili, moving northeast at 30 knots.

Wind gusts to around 40 knots are in the forecast.

“Small craft could be damaged in briefly higher winds and suddenly higher waves. Locations impacted include: Kahuku Point, Lāʻie Point, Honolulu Harbor, Mokulua Islands, FAD Buoy BO, Heeia Kea Boat Harbor, FAD Buoy CO, and FAD Buoy J,” according to the NWS.

As a precaution, those in impacted areas should prepare for gusty winds, steep and fast-building seas, and blinding downpours. Stay low or go below, and make sure all on board are wearing life jackets.