Malika Dudley’s Daily Weather Forecast (10/18/14)

At 9:15 a.m., a Flash Flood Warning was posted through noon today for heavy rain falling at 2 inches per hour at Kulani Cone, above Glenwood. The area of rain was nearly stationary. Heavy showers will continue to stream into the Kau and Puna districts over the next 2 to 3 hours.

A Flash Flood Watch also remains in effect for the Big Island and has been extended to include all islands through 6:00 p.m. tonight.

At 8:00 a.m., Ana’s maximum sustained winds were at 80 mph, gusting to 93 mph. Ana is moving northwest at 13 mph with hurricane force winds extending 25 miles from the center and tropical storm force winds extending 105 miles from the center of the system.

The center of Tropical Storm Ana was last located near 19.0 N and 158.5 W, about 235 miles west-southwest of Hilo; 170 miles west-southwest of Kailua-Kona, and 185 miles west of South Point.

A general westward motion is expected to continue through the rest of the morning. A decrease in forward speed is expected later today and Sunday with a turn toward the west. On the forecast track, the center of Ana will pass about 160 miles southwest of Oahu and Kauai county tonight and Sunday.

Current Situation
The Tropical Storm Watch for Hawai/i County has been cancelled.

Outer rain bands of Hurricane Ana continue to bring showers and thunderstorms to the Big Island. Twenty-four hour rainfall totals of more than 6 inches have already been recorded. Rain totals ending at 8 a.m. today: Keaumo – 6.24″; Kealakomo – 5.86″; Saddle Quarry – 3.55″; Hakalau – 3.42″;  Piihonua – 3.51″; Mountain View – 4.14″; Pahala – 3.73″; Honaunau – 1.20″; Ahumoa – 1.65″.

A Wind Advisory is also posted for Big Island Summits until 6:00 p.m. tonight. Southeast winds from 30 – 45 mph, gusting to 65 mph, are expected. Impacts include winds that can make driving difficult, especially for high profile vehicles.

A wind advisory means that sustained winds of at least 30 mph or gusts of at least 50 mph are expected. Motorists should use extra caution.

HIGH SURF WARNING – Posted for Western shores of the Big Island through 6:00 p.m.

HIGH SURF ADVISORY – In effect for South shores of the Big Island until 6:00 p.m.

SMALL CRAFT ADVISORY – Still listed for Big Island windward waters through 6:00 pm.

Potential impacts

Winds: Kau and South Kona may get winds from 15 to 25 mph, gusting to 35 mph tonight. Higher elevations of the Big Island could see wind numbers from 30 – 45 mph, gusting to 65 mph.

Rain: Rainfall rates of 4 to 6 inches, possibly up to a foot of rain along southeast facing slopes, are expected.

Surf: The surf is expected to peak tonight and Saturday morning at 20 feet along the Puna and Ka’u coastlines during the closest approach. Elevated surf up to 12 ft is possible along the Kona coast on Saturday. Additional storm surge of 1 -2 feet for southeastern shores is likely.

Seas: Leeward waters of the Big Island can expect 35 – 45 mph winds, gusting to 65 mph with seas up to 25 feet. Off Cape Kumukahi, winds are expected from 20 – 30 mph with seas of 15 – 20 feet.