Fireworks will probably be a little soggy tonight. But it’s a good thing today is a state and county holiday, because the best way to spend today is indoors, with rain, thunderstorms, and gusty winds expected until tomorrow. “It going
Fireworks will probably be a little soggy tonight. But it’s a good thing today is a state and county holiday, because the best way to spend today is indoors, with rain, thunderstorms, and gusty winds expected until tomorrow.
“It going to be rain, rain, rain,” said National Weather Service Forecaster Norman Hey. “And we’re expecting some winds as well.”
At 5 p.m. yesterday, National Weather Service forecasters issued an urban and small stream advisory because of the heavy band of showers that socked most of the island.
With heavy rain falling, the forecasters believed runoff from the storm would cause standing water in low-lying and poor-drainage areas.
Both in Kalaheo and Kalihiwai last night, large boulders were spotted on the highways. A poor drainage area in Kalihiwai forced police to close one lane of Kuhio Highway.
And the Hanalei River levels were rising, threatening to close the Hanalei Bridge.
And the wind was just starting to pick up.
Lihu‘e Airport received a gust of 35 mph after 6 p.m. Winds gusting past 50 mph are possible today, said Hey.
Kaua‘i is also under a high-wind watch and a flash-flood watch through New Year’s Day.
“Just be careful out there,” he said.
And the bad news is it’s going to stick around, at least until tomorrow morning.
“The front is moving slowly forward, so we won’t be out of it anytime soon,” said Hey last night. Clearing is possible, “probably by New Year’s Day.”
By then, the front will push through the state, bringing cooler, drier weather next week, Hey said.
Tom Finnegan, staff writer, may be reached at 245-3681 (ext. 252) or tfinnegan@pulitzer.net.
