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By Anna Skinner
Associate News Editor
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Numerous weather warnings are in place for all Hawaiian islands on Thursday as a rare storm is set to pummel the entire state this week with dangerous thunderstorms, high elevation snow, and feet of rain.
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.
"A powerful kona storm will produce periods of hazardous weather impacts across the Hawaiian Islands through the weekend. Expect a combination of threats ranging from significant flash flooding, damaging winds, snow and ice over the highest Big Island summits and strong to severe thunderstorms," NWS Honolulu said in a state forecast discussion.
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"The strongest southwesterly winds from Friday to Saturday will produce damaging wind gusts along north and east of the island mountains. Unsettled wet weather conditions with southwesterly winds will continue into early next week. The kona storm begins to lift northward on Monday, and unsettled weather will start to ease across the Hawaii region. High pressure will build back in north of the state allowing trade winds to return from next Wednesday onward."
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Although kona lows can occur this time of year, NWS meteorologist Maureen Ballard told Newsweek, this current storm's strength and length of impact is considered "rare." Impacts have already been felt across the islands, with a "stronger push" hitting on Thursday night and persisting into the weekend, Ballard said.
WFLA-TV chief meteorologist Jeff Berardelli said the storm would be "relentless." Previous forecasts for Honolulu anticipated between 15 and 20 inches, nearly an entire year's worth of rain, could fall over the span of five days. Some high-elevation areas could see rainfall amounts between 20 and 30 inches of rain.
"Significant flooding may occur due to the overflow of streams and drainages," a flood watch issued by NWS Honolulu said. "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."
In addition to the flood watch, other weather hazards included a flash flood warning, gale warning, winter weather advisory, high wind watch, and winter storm watch, among other concerns. People residing on the islands or visiting the area should monitor local weather forecasts as the storm progresses and be prepared to act should needed.
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