A low-pressure cold front that caused flooding on Kauai late this week is forecast to make its way eastward through the island chain.
That’s expected to result in a wet weekend on the Big Island, according to the National Weather Service in Honolulu.
“You will have quite a few showers continuing pretty much through the weekend,” NWS meteorologist Ian Morrison said Friday afternoon. “It may be calming down somewhat Sunday afternoon, but it’s still going to be wet.
“You’re also going to see thunderstorms upslope, isolated but still heavy at times.”
And since the front is coming from the west, downpours are expected in both East Hawaii and West Hawaii.
Heavy rain is predicted for the area of Ellison Onizuka Kona International Airport in Keahole, with a quarter- to a half-inch rain possible today. Showers are expected this evening, but somewhat lighter, although thunderstorms could change that.
Thunderstorms are also possible for Hilo, as well, and the weather is expected to be mostly cloudy.
A flash flood watch is in effect for the island until 6 p.m. tonight, “and there may be another extension necessary,” Morrison said.
Much of East Hawaii, which has been soaked since late February, got a brief respite in the heavy rains on Thursday, but some of the southeastern portion of Hawaii Island received showers brought by southerly winds.
In the 24-hour period ending at 2 p.m. Friday, Kealakomo, in the lower Puna reaches of Hawaii Volcanoes National Park, received 3.36 inches of rain, while Kapapala Ranch and Pahala, both in Ka‘u, measured 2.32 and 1.35 inches of rain, respectively.
And the four-day totals ending at noon Thursday, resulted in some eye-popping rainfall totals in several East Hawaii locations.
Those include: Pahoa, 19.36 inches; Kealakomo, 13.78 inches; Piihonua, 13.45 inches; Laupahoehoe, 12.04 inches; and Waiakea Uka, 10.18 inches.
Email John Burnett at jburnett@hawaiitribune-herald.com.
