UPDATE: Flood Advisory Extended for East Hawaii

***Updated 4:39 p.m.***

The flood advisory issued early this afternoon for parts of the Big Island has been extended to 7:30 p.m., the National Weather Service said.

Hilo and parts of Puna were seeing heavy showers at rates of up to two inches per hour shortly after 4 p.m., the weather service said.

Other areas being affected included Pepeekeo, Hawaiian Paradise Park, Pahoa and Mountain View.

Motorists were being advised that the rainfall was creating hazardous conditions because of ponding on roadways and reduced visibility.

This satellite photo taken at 4:15 p.m. shows clouds towering above parts of East Hawaii. NOAA/NWS image.

The weather service said the advisory would be extended past 7:30 p.m. if warranted.

According to forecasters, a low-pressure system in the upper atmosphere that passed eastward from the Big Island over the past weekend continues to bring instability.

As a result, trade wind showers usually capped at 8,000 feet are reaching up to elevations of 20,000 feet, enhancing the rainfall and bringing a chance of thunderstorms.

Posted 2:38 p.m.:

The low-pressure system that prompted Friday’s warnings of heavy rain and thunderstorms has long since passed to the east, but its effects were still be felt on the Big Island today.

The National Weather Service this afternoon issued a flood advisory for Hawaii County – the fourth in the past two days – because of the lingering effects of the instability left over by the low.

The advisory said heavy showers were pounding the lower slopes of Hilo, Puna and Ka`u. North Kona and the area of Saddle Road near Waikii were also being affected.

The advisory was in effect until at least 4:45 p.m.

The arrow in this infrared satellite image shows the low-pressure system that has moved to the east of the Big Island. NOAA/NWS image.