Flossie maintains strength as it nears Hawaii

HONOLULU — Tropical Depression Flossie maintained its strength Monday as it moved closer to the islands.

Centered about 80 miles east-northeast of Hilo and 120 miles northeast of Kailua-Kona by 5 p.m. Monday, Flossie was packing maximum sustained winds of 35 mph while heading west-northwest at 12 mph, according to the Central Pacific Hurricane Center.

Although little change in strength is expected in the next 36 hours, Flossie was expected to become a post-tropical remnant low late Monday and dissipate by Wednesday, the CPHC said.

Flossie’s current west-northwest track is expected to turn toward the northwest through dissipation late tonight or Wednesday. On the forecast track, the system will move near the main Hawaiian Islands today.

A flood advisory for the island of Kauai has expired though a flash flood watch remained in effect for Maui and the Big Island.

Moisture associated with Tropical Cyclone Flossie moving into the islands from the east, along with an upper-level trough just northwest of the state, is expected to provide the ingredients for heavy rainfall and possible flooding issues for Maui and the Big Island through late tonight. As the moisture moves westward, the flash flood watch may need to be expanded to other islands as well.

Additionally, a high surf advisory for the east shores of Oahu, Maui, the Big Island, Kauai and Molokai remained in effect through 6 p.m. Monday.

Little change in strength is forecast for Flossie during the next couple of days, the CPHC said.