The National Weather Service in Honolulu has issued a flash flood watch for Hawaii Island through Thursday afternoon.
The National Weather Service in Honolulu has issued a flash flood watch for Hawaii Island through Thursday afternoon.
Abundant moisture moving over the islands from the east will combine with a developing upper level trough to bring the threat of widespread moderate to heavy rain and isolated thunderstorms, according to the service. The area of heavy rain is expected to begin moving over Hawaii Island this evening and gradually shift westward.
Forecasters said the rain will be widespread and slow-moving affecting urban areas in the lower elevations. Heavy rain is also expected over the higher elevations and will likely produce flash flooding,
A flash flood watch means that conditions may develop that lead to flash flooding, according to the service, which also noted that it does not have to be raining heavily where you are for flash flooding to occur.
The Department of Land and Natural Resources said it closed the Waimanu Trail in North Kohala on Tuesday afternoon until further notice. All camping permits have been canceled.