Severe storms and ongoing flood risks are a significant concern for the Hawaiian Islands this weekend. A powerful Kona storm is currently positioned north of Hawaii, drawing up deep tropical moisture and producing heavy rainfall across all islands.
Extended Flooding and Wind Threats
The storm is expected to bring a prolonged period of flash flooding and damaging winds, alongside strong thunderstorms, through Saturday morning. By Saturday afternoon and evening, these conditions will extend east into Maui County and the Big Island. Key threats include:
- Significant flash flooding
- Damaging wind gusts
- Severe thunderstorms
- Snow and ice at higher elevations on the Big Island
From today onward, southerly to southwesterly winds are forecasted to be particularly strong, contributing to dangerous conditions.
Hourly Breakdown of the Storm
The First Alert Weather Team has provided a detailed timeline of the storm’s impact:
- Saturday Morning: For Kauai and Oʻahu, expect a line of thunderstorms, heavy rainfall, and a risk of flooding. The main rain band will shift eastward towards Maui and the Big Island.
- Saturday Afternoon: Thunderstorms will persist, particularly over the eastern regions. Heavy showers are anticipated to stall over eastern Maui, while scattered thunderstorms may pop up on the Big Island.
- Saturday Night: Thunderstorm activity will continue. The stalled rain band between Maui and the Big Island may worsen flooding conditions. Flood risks will gradually decrease for Kauai and Oʻahu by Sunday.
Ongoing Risks into Sunday
On Sunday, the flooding threat is expected to decline for Kauai and Oʻahu. However, with saturated grounds, any additional rainfall could lead to rapid runoff and flash flooding. Breezy southwest winds and lingering storm activity will continue for Maui County and the Big Island into Monday.
Residents and visitors are urged to remain vigilant and monitor updates for changing weather conditions. For the latest forecasts and alerts, check in with El-Balad’s weather team.
