Potent storm to bring flood threat, gusty winds to Hawaiian Islands
By
Renee Duff, AccuWeather senior meteorologist
Updated Jan 19, 2021 8:22 PM EDT
While theme parks are closed in California due to the COVID-19 pandemic, several hundred cars have been passing through "Jurassic Quest" in Pasadena. This installation takes participants on a journey to the past to see dinosaurs from the safety of their cars.
The entire island chain of Hawaii is being put on alert for downpours heavy enough to trigger flash flooding along with gusty winds into the middle of the week.
"A cold front will stall between Maui and the Big Island through Tuesday of this week," AccuWeather Senior Meteorologist Mike LeSeney said. "The combination of this stalled front and a storm high in the atmosphere will produce the threat for flooding rainfall across portions of Oahu, Maui and the Big Island."
This AccuWeather RealVue™ Satellite image shows clouds associated with a stalled front over Hawaii. (AccuWeather)
Widespread rainfall amounts of 2-4 inches were reported across the islands by Tuesday morning, with rain continuing to fall. Puu Alii in Maui County, sitting at an elevation of 3,800 feet, was nearing 16 inches of rainfall.
Advisories, watches and warnings are in effect across the state for impacts ranging from flash flooding to gusty winds and high surf.
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"The heaviest rainfall will be on the windward side of the mountainous areas of the islands with an AccuWeather Local StormMax™ rainfall of 20 inches expected," LeSeney said.
Rainfall of this magnitude can trigger flash flooding as well as mudslides in the higher terrain, which can lead to further damage and clog roadways with mud and debris.
Motorists are urged to never attempt to cross a flooded roadway as the water may be deeper and moving along at a faster pace than it appears and the ground underneath could be compromised.
Even in the absence of flooding and mudslides, the heavy rainfall itself will be enough to slow travel and put a damper on people's outdoor plans.
"The storm system will also produce strong north to northeasterly winds, rough surf and choppy seas," LeSeney said.
While the strongest wind gusts occurred on Monday, with gusts up to 40-60 mph, locally breezy conditions can linger through Tuesday.
A look at some of the highest reported wind gusts in Hawaii as of Tuesday morning local time.
Since the ground will be more unstable and saturated due to the heavy rainfall, the winds could increase the threat of localized tree damage and power outages.
The strong winds will stir up seas that will be extremely hazardous for small craft, bathers and even more experienced surfers.
"The storm will unwind and dissipate as it slowly drifts westward at midweek with the wind and waves diminishing later this week," LeSeney said.
Forecasters expect a typical easterly trade-wind shower pattern to resume across the island chain as the storm pulls away during the latter half of the week.
Keep checking back on AccuWeather.com and stay tuned to the AccuWeather Network on DirecTV, Frontier and Verizon Fios.
Report a Typo
News / Severe Weather
Potent storm to bring flood threat, gusty winds to Hawaiian Islands
By Renee Duff, AccuWeather senior meteorologist
Updated Jan 19, 2021 8:22 PM EDT
While theme parks are closed in California due to the COVID-19 pandemic, several hundred cars have been passing through "Jurassic Quest" in Pasadena. This installation takes participants on a journey to the past to see dinosaurs from the safety of their cars.
The entire island chain of Hawaii is being put on alert for downpours heavy enough to trigger flash flooding along with gusty winds into the middle of the week.
"A cold front will stall between Maui and the Big Island through Tuesday of this week," AccuWeather Senior Meteorologist Mike LeSeney said. "The combination of this stalled front and a storm high in the atmosphere will produce the threat for flooding rainfall across portions of Oahu, Maui and the Big Island."
This AccuWeather RealVue™ Satellite image shows clouds associated with a stalled front over Hawaii. (AccuWeather)
Widespread rainfall amounts of 2-4 inches were reported across the islands by Tuesday morning, with rain continuing to fall. Puu Alii in Maui County, sitting at an elevation of 3,800 feet, was nearing 16 inches of rainfall.
Advisories, watches and warnings are in effect across the state for impacts ranging from flash flooding to gusty winds and high surf.
CLICK HERE FOR THE FREE ACCUWEATHER APP
"The heaviest rainfall will be on the windward side of the mountainous areas of the islands with an AccuWeather Local StormMax™ rainfall of 20 inches expected," LeSeney said.
Rainfall of this magnitude can trigger flash flooding as well as mudslides in the higher terrain, which can lead to further damage and clog roadways with mud and debris.
Motorists are urged to never attempt to cross a flooded roadway as the water may be deeper and moving along at a faster pace than it appears and the ground underneath could be compromised.
Even in the absence of flooding and mudslides, the heavy rainfall itself will be enough to slow travel and put a damper on people's outdoor plans.
"The storm system will also produce strong north to northeasterly winds, rough surf and choppy seas," LeSeney said.
Related:
While the strongest wind gusts occurred on Monday, with gusts up to 40-60 mph, locally breezy conditions can linger through Tuesday.
A look at some of the highest reported wind gusts in Hawaii as of Tuesday morning local time.
Since the ground will be more unstable and saturated due to the heavy rainfall, the winds could increase the threat of localized tree damage and power outages.
The strong winds will stir up seas that will be extremely hazardous for small craft, bathers and even more experienced surfers.
"The storm will unwind and dissipate as it slowly drifts westward at midweek with the wind and waves diminishing later this week," LeSeney said.
Forecasters expect a typical easterly trade-wind shower pattern to resume across the island chain as the storm pulls away during the latter half of the week.
Keep checking back on AccuWeather.com and stay tuned to the AccuWeather Network on DirecTV, Frontier and Verizon Fios.
Report a Typo