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Thunder, heavy rain forecast to subside today

The Maui News

Crackling of thunder could be heard with periods of heavy rain Tuesday as unstable weather conditions continued for a second day over Maui County.

A flash-flood watch was in place through 6 p.m. today and a flood advisory was in effect until 5:30 p.m. Tuesday.

The National Weather Service said in a special weather statement Tuesday afternoon that the atmosphere above the state was “very unstable,” allowing for sunny skies to give way to heavy afternoon showers and thunderstorms. Some of the thunderstorms could produce lightning, thunder, strong and gusty winds, downpours and possibly hail.

People were cautioned to move indoors during thunderstorms and to stay away from windows and electrical appliances. The weather service said that lightning can strike several miles away from a thunderstorm and that it does not have to be raining in the immediate vicinity of a lightning strike.

At 4:15 p.m. Tuesday, the weather service issued a special marine warning for the Alenuihaha Channel, between Maui and the Big Island, Maalaea Bay and the island’s leeward waters due to strong thunderstorms detected on radar in Maalaea Bay and waters south of Maui. The Maalaea Bay thunderstorm was stationary and the one south of the island was moving northeast.

The warning lasted until 5 p.m.

The Wailuku, Waikapu and Maalaea Bay areas logged the most rain over the 24-hour period ending at 4 p.m. Tuesday. The Wailuku rain gauge captured 1.56 inches; Waikapu, 1.35 inches; and Maalaea Bay, 1.35 inches. Lanai City recorded 1.24 inches.

The weather service said the unstable conditions should last through this evening and turn drier by the end of the week as the system moves east. Trade winds should blow behind a weak front moving through the islands Thursday.

More rain could be headed this way next week with a new system west of the islands, said the weather service.

The forecast for today is mostly sunny with isolated showers and a slight chance of thunderstorms in the morning. In the afternoon, the skies are expected to be partly sunny with scattered showers and the chance of thunderstorms that may generate gusty winds, heavy rain and lightning.

High temperatures are expected to reach 78 to 83 degrees with lows of 62 to 67 degrees. There should be variable winds to 15 mph.

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