Kona low threatens widespread flash flooding, prolonged heavy rain, storms for most of Hawai‘i

The National Weather Service forecast office in Honolulu says flash flooding, prolonged periods of heavy rain and isolated thunderstorms with locally gust winds are possible from Wednesday and into the weekend, especially from Kaua‘i to Maui, as a Kona low continues to develop north of the Hawaiian Islands.

The potential for flash flooding around the Big Island has diminished, but remains a concern because of the uncertainty with the developing weather pattern.

The slow-moving system will remain far to the north of the state, but associated convergence bands are expected to stall over portions of the islands.

Heavy showers forming within these bands could repeatedly move over the islands from the south, with high rainfall rates leading to significant and widespread flooding, especially over leeward areas.

O‘ahu and Maui County are expected to see the greatest impacts initially, with a convergence band developing late Wednesday and moving little through Thursday night.

The band is forecast to drift west Friday, with the heavy rain threat shifting to Kaua‘i and O‘ahu, where the potential for heavy rain will persist through the weekend.

A flood watch for the entire state goes into effect Wednesday and will remain in place through at least Friday.

For the latest forecast updates, click here.

If you have questions or want to submit weather reports or photos, email w-hfo.operations@noaa.gov.