Hawaii’s weekend forecast includes flood watch, minor coastal flooding

DENNIS FUJIMOTO / THE GARDEN ISLAND / JUNE 25

Pedestrians make their way along the catwalk at Kauai’s Nawiliwili Small Boat Harbor. The walkway was submerged during a coastal flooding advisory in June.

The National Weather Service in Honolulu has issued a flood watch for all Hawaii islands, starting late Saturday night and lasting through Monday afternoon.

Forecasters said a “Kona low” will develop north of Kauai Saturday night and pass northwest of the islands Sunday before drifting to the west on Monday.

“During this time, moist and unstable southeast to south winds will bring a threat of heavy showers and thunderstorms to all islands,” forecasters said. “On he Big Island and Maui, the greatest flood risk will be on southeast slopes.”

The weather service earlier today alerted the public of minor coastal flooding due to higher-than-expected water levels and peak high tides.

Weather officials said in a coastal flooding statement that peak high tides will occur in the early morning, and isolated minor coastal flooding may occur through late Saturday.

Low-lying coastal areas of all Hawaiian islands may be affected, “especially along northern low lying coastal areas exposed to a building northerly swell,” forecasters said. Impacts include the flooding of beaches that are normally dry, minor coastal erosion, and saltwater inundation, they said.

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NWS advises moving electronics, vehicles or other valuables to higher ground and securing canoes and other watercraft stowed on beaches.

“Avoid driving through flooded roadways,” the NWS statement said. “If you are forced to drive through salt water, be sure to rinse your vehicle with fresh water.”

A small craft advisory is also in effect for waters off Kauai, the Kaiwi Channel, windward Oahu, and Maui waters until 6 a.m. Saturday. The weather service warned that the building north to north-northeast swell will produce moderate surges affecting north-facing harbors, with Kahului and Hilo harbors seeing the strongest impacts from late Friday into Saturday. “Mariners using these harbors should exercise caution when mooring or launching vessels,” forecasters said.

Hawaii’s forecast through the first weekend of the new year, meanwhile, calls for stronger tradewinds today bringing an increased chance of rain mainly for windward areas. Tradewinds and shower activity will diminish Saturday, with the exception of windward Big Island.

After the Kona low leaves the islands, “Strong and gusty easterly winds are expected to gradually reduce shower chances late Monday and Tuesday,” the NWS forecast says.

See more:Weather

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