Wet weather from Flossie to linger around isle today

Tattered storm set to pass to the north

Remnants of Tropical Cyclone Flossie, which deteriorated into a low-pressure system Monday afternoon, will continue to pass north of Maui County today with expected weather to continue Monday's pattern of isolated showers and periodic sunshine, a National Weather Service official said.

Ashley Evans, director of operations for the National Weather Service in Honolulu, said more of the rainfall will be in Hana rather than Central Maui.

A flash-flood watch remains in effect until 6 p.m. today.

"I ask our residents and visitors to remain vigilant of possible flooding," Mayor Michael Victorino said in a statement Monday. "People should not cross fast-moving water in a vehicle or on foot. Continue to monitor weather forecasts and be prepared to take action if a flash-flood warning is issued."

In the 24-hour period ending at 2 p.m. Monday, the West Wailuaiki rain gauge in East Maui reported 0.87 inch of rain. Data from Hana Airport were missing, according to the National Weather Service. Kahakuloa reported 0.38 inch of rain.

Wailuku reported 0.21 inch and only 0.01 inch fell at Kahului Airport for the same time period.

But in a one-hour period from 2 to 3 p.m. Monday, the Kula Branch Station logged 0.25 inch and the Kula 1 gauge, 0.15 inch. There were reported heavy rains in Kula on Sunday as well.

At 5 p.m. Monday, the center of Flossie was 90 miles east of Maui, moving west-northwest at 12 mph. The system had maximum sustained winds of 35 mph. The post-tropical cyclone was expected to make a gradual turn to the north-northeast and dissipate on Wednesday, the National Weather Service said.

Today, Kahului could only see rainfall amounts between a quarter and half of an inch, according to the weather service online forecast. Chance of precipitation is 50 percent and thunderstorms are possible.

High temperatures will be near 88 degrees with a heat index as high as 95 degrees.

Also, a high-surf advisory for east-facing shores of Maui and Molokai is in effect until 6 p.m. today.

Evans said an upper-level trough moving north of the islands will generate some wet weather later this week.

* Melissa Tanji can be reached at mtanji@mauinews.com.