Honolulu, Hawaii – The sunny skies of Hawaii are taking a temporary break this week as a prolonged period of stormy weather looms over the tropical islands. The National Weather Service in Honolulu is forecasting heavy rain and the threat of flash flooding as a Kona Low develops just north of the islands.
Kona Lows, named after the Hawaiian word for “leeward,” pose a challenge as they bring heavy rain to areas typically sheltered from the prevailing northeasterly trade winds. The combination of the Kona Low and deep tropical moisture nearby is expected to result in prolonged heavy rainfall and thunderstorms throughout the week.
Flood Watches have been issued for all of Hawaii from Wednesday morning through Friday evening, with the heaviest rains anticipated over Oahu and Maui before moving west towards Kauai by the end of the week. The NWS has warned of potential significant flooding from overflowing streams, drainages, and possible road closures, urging caution in urban areas.
During the previous week, Hawaii experienced a series of wet weather conditions, including Flood Watches and Warnings as a slow-moving storm system impacted the islands and even brought winter storm conditions to the Big Island’s mountain peaks. Flash Flood Warnings were in effect for eastern Oahu on Monday ahead of the approaching Kona Low, with some areas experiencing localized flooding.
Rain gauges in higher elevations of Oahu have already recorded significant rainfall accumulation, with reports of over 8 inches in the past 72 hours. Areas like St. Stephens Seminary near Kailua and Kaneohe have seen substantial rainfall totals, highlighting the potential impacts of the ongoing wet weather pattern.
While the flood alerts are set to expire on Friday evening, the NWS has cautioned that the wet pattern may continue through the weekend, urging residents to stay informed and prepared for the potential consequences of the inclement weather. The Kona Low’s influence is expected to persist, prolonging the period of heavy rainfall for Hawaii.