Showers and thunderstorms are expected to pop up throughout the Big Island today, said a Hawaii meteorologist.
The weather is expected to start improving Friday before tradewinds push the system away, said Matt Foster of the National Weather Service.
Wednesday afternoon, the National Weather Service posted a flash flood watch for areas including Kona. That watch remains in effect through this afternoon.
“Abundant tropical moisture and an upper level trough will continue the threat of heavy rainfall and flooding,” stated the Weather Service.
That abundance of moisture in the air, Foster said, combines with instability in the atmosphere and lift provided by the mountains, which sends moisture in the air upward, allowing clouds to grow higher.
That will lead to a possibility of thunderstorms and showers throughout the day Thursday.
“It’s gonna be kind of random where storms pop up,” Foster said.
Residents and visitors to the island should keep an eye on weather forecasts and be prepared to take action in the event of flash flooding.