Wet weather is expected to continue through Wednesday, bringing rain statewide, potential for flash floods, snow to the summits and the possibility of lightning for which surfers should watch.
The National Weather Service in Honolulu issued a flash flood watch Monday for the entire state.
“The atmosphere over the state is already pretty moist and unstable, and it’s going to get even more moist and unstable over the next day or so,” meteorologist Robert Ballard said Monday.
He said there’s an unusually strong upper-level disturbance in the atmosphere creating potential for heavy rain. It’s a weather system developing over the islands, rather than one moving in from elsewhere.
People in flood-prone areas should prepare ahead of time, Ballard said.
It’s uncertain where the heaviest rains will occur.
“There is a chance just about everywhere for the next few days as this slow-moving system moves over us,” Ballard said.
People who have outdoor activities planned should perhaps reconsider, he said.
Hiking or camping is “probably not going to be the best idea the next few days,” he said. “You might want to postpone.”
In terms of mountain weather, the Mauna Kea road conditions report, a message recorded Monday morning, said there was no snow on the mountain and no snow in the forecast.
“Well,” Ballard said, “there’s snow in our forecast. We think that there’s a possibility for more than 6 inches of snow. They could get heavy snowfall at the summits.”
He expected that snow to taper off sometime today.
A small craft advisory is likely to remain in effect. But swells will be moderate.
Surfers probably won’t need to worry about wind or waves. Instead, Ballard said, they should pay attention to the possibility of lightning through Wednesday.
Of most concern for safety, though, is the potential for flooding.
“I just want to stress the preparedness aspect,” Ballard said. “Hopefully, people will take the threat seriously.”
Email Jeff Hansel at jhansel@hawaiitribune-herald.com.
