The Big Island is under a tropical storm watch as Niala is expected to bring heavy rainfall as early as this evening.
The Big Island is under a tropical storm watch as Niala is expected to bring heavy rainfall as early as this evening.
“Heavy rainfall with the possibility of thunderstorms could begin as early as this evening and last through Monday afternoon,” Hawaii Emergency Management Agency said. “Flooding is a serious possibility because of the saturated soils from previous rainfall events.”
The tropical storm is expected to pass south of the island, but there remains a 20 percent chance of tropical storm force winds.
As of 11 a.m. Friday, Niala was 415 miles southeast of Hilo with maximum sustained winds of 45 mph.
HEMA said forecasters are confident it will begin to weaken this weekend as it turns toward the west. “However, the weakening rate and timing of the anticipated westward turn is somewhat uncertain at this point,” the agency said.
A flash flood watch will be in effect from 6 p.m. Friday through 6 p.m. Monday.