Unstable moisture still in the forecast into Sunday
4:03 a.m., Saturday, Feb. 18, 2023
“An upper low southwest of the Hawaiian Islands continues to draw up a large band of deep tropical moisture within converging east to southeast wind flow,” according to the latest synopsis issued by the National Weather Service.
The NWS reports that this unstable tropical moisture band will keep widespread rainfall in the forecast, heavy at times, with developing thunderstorms across much of the state into Sunday.
“The low will slowly weaken from Sunday into Monday with decreasing rainfall trends as more stable trade winds begin to build in from the east,” the agency reports.
The NWS says another round of unstable showers may develop by Tuesday and Wednesday as another cut off low drops in west of the island chain.
More stable conditions return by next week Thursday as a high pressure ridge builds in from the northeast, according to the agency.
Kauaʻi Flash Flood Warning until 4:15 p.m.
1:01 p.m., Saturday, Feb. 18, 2023
The National Weather Service in Honolulu has extended the Flash Flood Warning for the island of Kauaʻi until 4:15 p.m.
At 1:01 p.m., radar showed that moderate to heavy rainfall was still moving over the east half of Kauaʻi from the southeast.
The NWS reports the Hanalei River water level was still elevated and was still expected to inundate Kūhiō Highway near the Hanalei Bridge. South Fork Wailua River was also running at a high level. Additional rainfall through the afternoon should keep streams and rivers in east Kauaʻi at high flow levels, according to the NWS.
Maui Flood Watch Until 6 p.m.
6:15 a.m., 5:05 a.m., Saturday, Feb. 18, 2023
The Flood Advisory that was in effect for Maui earlier this morning has been canceled. A Flood Watch remains in effect until 6 p.m. this evening.
At 5:04 a.m., radar showed heavy rain over windward portions of Maui, with rainfall especially persistent near Hāna, according to the NWS. Rain was falling at a rate of 1 to 2 inches per hour. Some locations in the advisory area were: Kahului, Makawao, Pukalani, Haliimaile, Haʻikū-Paʻuwela, Kula, Paʻuwela, Pāʻia, Huelo, Puʻunēnē, Keʻanae, Wailuku, Nāhiku, Waiehu, Waikapū, Waiheʻe, Kīpahulu, Kahakuloa, Hāna and Honokōhau. A flood watch is also in effect.
Hawaiʻi Island Flood Warning extended to 4 p.m.
12:44 p.m., 9:43 a.m., 6:45 a.m., 5:14 a.m., Saturday, Feb. 18, 2023
The National Weather Service has extended the Flash Flood Warning for the island of Hawaiʻi until 4 p.m.
At 12:44 p.m., radar showed that heavy rainfall continues to move onshore from the southeast in the Puna and Kaʻū Districts. Rain rates were mostly 1 to 2 inches with isolated rates up to 3 inches per hour, according to the NWS.
Periods of heavy rainfall will continue to develop into tonight. Highway 11 at Kawa Flats, Wood Valley Road, and Kaalaiki Road remain closed in the Kaʻū District. These roads will likely remain closed into tonight as runoff levels remain high. Kahikopele Street in the Eden Roc subdivision was recently closed.
Original source: https://mauinow.com/2023/02/18/kona-low-continues-to-draw-up-unstable-moisture-across-the-state/