Forecast: Hawaii Poised for More Rain and Flooding

When it rains, it pours...

Residents of Hawaii are continuing cleanup and recovery efforts after the devastating March floods that inundated the islands. Crews and local communities have been working around the clock to remove debris and begin rebuilding, but those efforts will soon be disrupted.

Another long stint of heavy rain and subsequent flooding is expected over the rest of this week, raising concerns about further damage. It's very likely this new weather threat will significantly delay the recovery progress and compound the challenges already facing affected areas across the Aloha State.

Another Kona Low is imminent

Currently developing along a frontal boundary just out to the west-northwest of Hawaii is an area of low pressure, which these nearby systems are deemed "Kona Lows". This is the same sort of setup as we witnessed through much of March, and per usual, the outcome will be similar.

The front will push into the islands over the next couple days, where forecast models indicate it will then stall. Meanwhile, the low will grow in strength and size as it parks itself within fairly close proximity out to the northwest. At this point, the low is projected to hang out there for at least the next several days, pulling tropical moisture over Hawaii.

What does this mean exactly?

In short, Hawaii is facing consecutive days of heavy rainfall. And toss in an already saturated ground from the March storms, this new system is highly likely to trigger additional flooding across many zones. Landslides are also a possibility, more so for areas with steep terrain. Residents are strongly encouraged to prepare in advance and take necessary precautions.

The National Weather Service has issued a flood watch for multiple areas through at least Friday, and standing water may linger well beyond that timeframe.

Rain is already underway as of Wednesday, April 8, or expected to begin shortly, with a near-certainty (90–100% chance) of continued heavy rainfall for at least the next couple of days. While conditions may ease slightly heading into the weekend, scattered showers are still expected, with precipitation chances hovering around 50% for many locations.

The Kona Low will warrant a close eye over the week to see how things evolve, so stay tuned. Until then, plan on a wet week.