UPDATE 6: Flood Advisory Extended, High Surf Warning Issued for Big Island

UPDATE 6: 10:01 PM, Friday, April 12, 2019

The National Weather Service in Honolulu has extended the Flood Advisory for Hawai‘i County until 1:15 a.m.

At 9:59 p.m., radar and rain gage reports indicate heavy rain continues over the South Hilo and Puna Districts, with the heaviest rain falling at a rate of 1 to 2 inches per hour.

Locations in the advisory include but are not limited to Hilo, Hawaiian Acres, Orchidlands Estates, Glenwood, Ke‘aau, Papaikou, Volcano, Hawaiian Paradise Park, Pāhoa, Mountain View, O‘okala and Pepe‘ekeo.

UPDATE: 5: 9 PM, COUNTY OF HAWAI‘I CIVIL DEFENSE

The National Weather Service has issued a Flood Advisory for South Hilo and Puna tonight.

A Flood Advisory means that conditions are favorable for flash flooding and can be Life Threatening.

You are advised to take the following precautions:

• Do not cross fast flowing water in your vehicle or on foot.
• Monitor later forecasts and be prepared to take action if a Flash Flood Warning is issued.
• Remember, if lightning does threaten your area, the safest place to be is indoors.
• Police report all roads are open at this time and advise that driving conditions are poor because of occasionally heavy downpours.

UPDATE 4: 8:57 PM, National Weather Service

FLOOD ADVISORY REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 10:15 PM

At 8:55 p.m., radar and rain gages continue to show the heaviest rain fall rates between 1 and 2 inches per hour over the South Hilo and Puna Districts of the Big Island.

Locations in the advisory include but are not limited to Hilo, Hawaiian Acres, Orchidlands Estates, Glenwood, Kea‘au, Papaikou, Volcano, Hawaiian Paradise Park, Pāhoa, Mountain View, Ookala and
Pepe‘ekeo.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS

Stay away from streams, drainage ditches and low-lying areas prone to flooding.

Rainfall and runoff will also cause hazardous driving conditions due to ponding, reduced visibility and poor braking action.

Do not cross fast flowing or rising water in your vehicle, or on foot. Turn around, don’t drown.

UPDATE 3: 7:21 PM: National Weather Service 

The National Weather Service in Honolulu has issued a Flood Advisory for Hawai‘i County Until 10:15 p.m.

At 7:17 p.m., rain gage reports indicated areas of heavy rain already falling and radar showed more areas moving into the eastern slopes of the Big Island. The heaviest rain was falling at a rate of 1 to 2 inches per hour.

Locations in the advisory include but are not limited to Hilo, Hawaiian Acres, Orchidlands Estates, Glenwood, Kea‘au, Papaikou, Volcano, Hawaiian Paradise Park, Pāhoa, Mountain View, O‘okala and Pepe‘ekeo.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS

Stay away from streams, drainage ditches and low-lying areas prone to flooding.

Rainfall and runoff will also cause hazardous driving conditions due to ponding, reduced visibility and poor braking action.

Do not cross fast flowing or rising water in your vehicle, or on foot. Turn around, don’t drown.

This advisory may need to be extended beyond 10:15 p.m. if heavy rain persists.

UPDATE 2: 7:06 PM, National Weather Service 

HIGH SURF WARNING FOR EAST-FACING SHORES OF THE BIG ISLAND

The National Weather Service in Honolulu has issued a High Surf Warning, which is in effect until 6 p.m. Saturday. The High Surf Advisory is no longer in effect.

Large surf will continue along exposed east-facing shores through the weekend and will likely peak tonight through Saturday and steadily decrease Sunday into Monday.

SURF: 14 to 20 feet along east facing of the Big Island.

IMPACTS: High; Expect ocean water occasionally sweeping across portions of beaches, very strong breaking waves, and strong longshore and rip currents. Breaking waves may occasionally impact harbors making navigating the harbor channel dangerous.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS

Large breaking surf, significant shorebreak, and dangerous currents make entering the water very hazardous. Anyone entering the water could face significant injury or death. Boaters should be aware of an increased number of surfers and body boarders utilizing the harbor channel to access surfing areas.

UPDATE 1: 3:40 PM: National Weather Service 

The FLASH FLOOD WATCH for the Big Island has been CANCELLED. Showers and isolated thunderstorms will continue to track over windward sections of both islands tonight and Saturday with gradual drying over the weekend.

LARGE SURF will continue along exposed east-facing shores through the weekend due to strong trade winds locally and over a large area east of the islands and will effect south, north and east shores through Sunday at 6 p.m.

SURF: 8 to 12 feet along east-facing shores of the Big Island will lower to 7 to 10 feet Sunday.

Expect strong breaking waves, shore break, and strong longshore and rip currents making swimming  difficult and dangerous. Beachgoers, swimmers and surfers should heed all advice given by ocean safety officials and exercise caution.

WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY FOR BIG ISLAND SUMMITS ABOVE 12,000 FEET UNTIL 6 AM
SATURDAY

Deep moisture wrapping around a broad upper level low to the east of the Big Island will bring periods of snow and ice to the  higher elevations of Mauna Kea and Mauna Loa through tonight.

Snow and ice accumulation is occurring. Plan on slippery road conditions. Additional snow accumulations of up to 1 inch is expected.

Be prepared for reduced visibilities at times.

A Winter Weather Advisory means that periods of snow, sleet, or freezing rain will cause travel difficulties. Be prepared for slippery roads and limited visibilities and use caution while driving.

WIND ADVISORY NOW IN EFFECT UNTIL 6 PM SATURDAY

WINDS: NE 20 to 30 mph with localized gusts over 50 mph.

Winds this strong could down tree branches and cause localized power outages. Motorists, especially those in high profile vehicles, are urged to drive with caution.

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.

SMALL CRAFT ADVISORY REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 6 PM SUNDAY…

…for Alenuihaha Channel, and Big Island windward, leeward and SE waters.

Winds: East winds 20 to 30 knots with higher gusts.Seas: 7 to 12 feet.

A Small Craft Advisory means that wind speeds of 25 to 33 knots and/or seas 10 feet or greater are expected to produce conditions hazardous to small craft. Inexperienced mariners, especially those operating smaller vessels, should avoid navigating in these conditions.

ORIGINAL POST: Friday, April 12

The Big Island remains under a flash flood watch and multiple advisories on Friday, April 12, 2019.

3:48 AM: National Weather Service
WIND ADVISORY NOW IN EFFECT UNTIL 6 PM HST THIS EVENING

WINDS: East to NE 20 to 30 mph with localized gusts over 50 mph are expected across the South Kohala District of the Big Island.

IMPACTS: Winds this strong could down tree branches and cause localized power outages. Motorists, especially those in high profile vehicles, are urged to drive with caution.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS

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.

FLASH FLOOD WATCH REMAINS IN EFFECT THROUGH THIS AFTERNOON

The Flash Flood Watch continues for Kona and south, north and interior areas of the Big Island and East-Kohala through 6 p.m. this evening.

Moisture wrapping around a broad upper level low to the east of the state will bring frequent showers and isolated thunderstorms to the Big Island today. Rainfall will be heavy at times, potentially leading to flash flooding. Although most of the heavy rain will focus over windward areas due to the strong trade winds in place, heavy showers and thunderstorms will also remain possible across leeward areas. The threat for flash flooding is expected to diminish this evening.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS

A Flash Flood Watch means that conditions are favorable for flash flooding. Flash flooding is LIFE- THREATENING. Do not cross fast flowing water in your vehicle or on foot.

Monitor later forecasts and be prepared to take action if a Flash Flood Warning is issued. If you experience heavy rain or rising water, head to higher ground immediately.

349 AM, Friday, April 12
WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY FOR SUMMITS ABOVE 11,500 FEET UNTIL 6 AM SATURDAY

Deep moisture wrapping around a broad upper level low to the east of the Big Island will bring periods of snow to the higher elevations of Mauna Kea and Mauna Loa today and tonight.

Periods of snow will affect the summits today and tonight. Plan on slippery road conditions. Additional snow accumulations of 1 to 3 inches are expected.

Be prepared for reduced visibilities at times in snow, along with blowing and drifting snow.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS

A Winter Weather Advisory for snow means periods of snow will cause travel difficulties. Be prepared for snow covered roads and limited visibilities, and use extreme caution while driving.

3:45 PM, Thursday, April 11, 2019

HIGH SURF ADVISORY FOR EAST-FACING SHORES

A strong area of high pressure far northeast of the state will produce a large fetch of strong trade winds pointed towards the island chain over the next several days. Swell generated from the fetch will bring large, hazardous surf to exposed east-facing shores through the weekend.

The advisory is in effect for south, north and east areas of the Big Island until 6 p.m. Sunday.

SURF: 6 to 9 feet along east-facing shores, rising to 8 to 12 feet late Friday through Saturday.

Expect strong breaking waves, shore break, and strong longshore and rip currents making swimming
difficult and dangerous.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS

Beachgoers, swimmers, and surfers should heed all advice given by ocean safety officials and exercise caution. When in doubt, don’t go out.

SMALL CRAFT ADVISORY REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 6 PM HST SUNDAY for Alenuihaha Channel, and Big Island windward, leeward and SE waters.

Winds: East winds 20 to 30 knots with higher gusts.

Seas: 7 to 12 feet.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS

A Small Craft Advisory means that wind speeds of 25 to 33 knots and/or seas 10 feet or greater are expected to produce conditions hazardous to small craft. Inexperienced mariners, especially those operating smaller vessels, should avoid navigating in these conditions.