...
By Anna Skinner
Associate News Editor
0
Share
Newsweek is a Trust Project member
See more of our trusted coverage when you search.Prefer Newsweek on Googleto see more of our trusted coverage when you search.
The entire state of Hawaii is under a flood watch on Wednesday as the National Weather Service (NWS) warns that between 15 and 20 inches of rain could slam Honolulu over the next seven days.
Hawaii is bracing for a dangerous stretch of storms this week as a powerful Kona low drags deep tropical moisture over the islands, setting the stage for rainfall totals that could reach a foot in the hardest‑hit areas, National Weather Service (NWS) Weather Prediction Center meteorologist Scott Kleebauer told Newsweek.
Forecasters warn that parts of the western islands—particularly Kauai and Oahu, as well as areas west of Maui—could see torrential rainfall that could exceed March averages three times over or more in just a matter of days, a level of precipitation that could trigger considerable flash flooding across the state.
Read More on Weather
A typical March brings between 2 and 4 inches of rain to much of Hawaii, according to data from the University of Hawai'i Geography Department. In Honolulu, average March rainfall is around 3.4 inches. Average annual rainfall is around 26 inches.
...
"A major Kona Low is going to slam Hawaii this week bringing significant flooding, severe thunderstorms, damaging winds, and blizzard conditions on its highest peaks," extreme weather chaser Colin McCarthy posted on X. "13 inches of rain is forecast Tuesday–Saturday in Honolulu, 80% of the city's annual rainfall in 5 days. Outside of the extraordinary March 1958 storm that holds all five of the top spots in the record books, this would be the wettest 5-day period since records began in 1940. Higher terrain on Oahu could see 20–30 inches of rain through Sunday. Impacts begin tonight on Kauai."
In some cases, the rainfall rates could reach up to 2 inches per hour, which could trigger life-threatening flash floods across the state.
"Significant flooding may occur due to the overflow of streams and drainages. Roads in several areas may be closed, along with property damage in urban or low lying spots due to runoff. Landslides may also occur in areas with steep terrain," NWS Honolulu said in a flood watch. "Considerable flash flooding remains possible as a large and powerful kona storm northwest of the state draws deep tropical moisture northward across the islands. Persistent bands of heavy rain and thunderstorms may produce intense rainfall rates, leading to rapid rises in streams and flooding of roads and low-lying areas."
In addition to the heavy rain, severe thunderstorms are possible, a relatively rare occurrence for Hawaii. The last time NWS Honolulu issued a severe thunderstorm warning was in January 2025, NWS senior forecaster Jon Jelsema told Newsweek. There's a chance that tornadoes could form, as well as heavy snowfall in Hawaii's summits.
In a polarized era, the center is dismissed as bland. At Newsweek, ours is different: The Courageous Center—it's not "both sides," it's sharp, challenging and alive with ideas. We follow facts, not factions. If that sounds like the kind of journalism you want to see thrive, we need you.
When you become a Newsweek Member, you support a mission to keep the center strong and vibrant. Members enjoy: Ad-free browsing, exclusive content and editor conversations. Help keep the center courageous. Join today.
View 0 Comments
Submit Correction
View Editorial & AI Guidelines