Maui severe weather updates for Tuesday, Jan. 9, 2024: Flood Advisories for Maui and Lānaʻi : Maui Now

Maui Weather Overview:

A cold front approaching the state continues to pull deep tropical moisture across the islands, according to the National Weather Service.

“Unstable showers will spread eastward across the state through Tuesday. Expect periods of heavy showers and isolated thunderstorms. Gusty winds and a potential for flooding remains a threat for all islands, with the strongest impacts expected along the front as it passes by,” according to the NWS.

The NWS reports that the leeward slopes off the Big Island will also see enhanced rainfall into Wednesday. A second front is forecast to deliver another round of wet weather from Thursday through Friday.

According to a Preliminary Local Storm Report issued by the National Weather Service, a gas station in Nānākuli on Oʻahu had its roof collapse under gusty conditions on Monday afternoon. The NWS reports that winds were estimated to be 40 mph at the time of the incident.

There were no immediate reports of damage following a Tornado Warning on Molokaʻi on Monday evening. The Tornado Warning was issued by the National Weather Service at 7:15 p.m. on Monday, Jan. 8, 2024, and ended at 7:45 p.m.

The NWS issued a forecast discussion saying convective bands will bring rain rates in excess of 2 inches per hour to Oʻahu through about 2 a.m., Molokaʻi through about 8 a.m., and eventually spreading to Maui as the night progresses.

Twenty-four-hour rainfall amounts as of 9 p.m. on Monday, already ranged from a general 3-6 inches on Oʻahu with a number of locations higher, including Wheeler Airfield at 7.07 inches, Poamoho at 9.50 inches, and Makaha Stream at 10.26 inches, according to the NWS.

The NWS advises: “Weather will improve across each island, in turn, after frontal passage tonight for Kauaʻi through Oʻahu, Molokaʻi on Tuesday, and Maui on Tuesday night. The Big Island will see lingering showers on Wednesday with improvement forecast from Wednesday night into Thursday. Another front is forecast to move into the islands from the northwest, with showers spreading down the island chain, from Thursday through Friday. Improving weather is forecast statewide from Friday night into next weekend.”

Special Weather Statement: Gusty showers for Maui through 3 a.m.
Update: 1:30 a.m., Jan. 9, 2024

The National Weather Service reports that gusty showers will impact Maui through 3 a.m. At 1:29 a.m., Doppler radar was tracking gusty showers and isolated embedded thunderstorms along a line extending from near Waikapū, Maui to 29 miles southwest of Mānele, Lānaʻi. Movement was northeast at 10 mph.

Wind gusts of 35 to 45 mph are forecast. The NWS advises that gusty winds could knock down tree limbs and blow around unsecured objects.

Locations impacted include: Kahului, Kīhei, Lahaina, Honokōhau, Hāliʻimaile, Kīpahulu, Wailuku, Makawao, Pāʻia, Kēōkea, Olowalu, Wailea, Waiheʻe, Kāʻanapali, Nāpili-Honokōwai, Kula, Pukalani, Kapalua, Puʻunēnē and Paʻuwela.

Molokaʻi Flood Advisory Canceled;
Flood Advisories continue for Maui until 3:15 a.m., Lānaʻi until 2:45 a.m.
Update: 1:03 a.m., Jan. 9, 2024

The Flood Advisory that was in effect for Molokaʻi has been canceled. The National Weather Service reports that radar showed heavy rain had diminished over the island.

A Flood Advisory remains in effect for Maui until 3:15 a.m., and for Lānaʻi until 2:45 a.m. At 12:09 a.m., radar showed heavy rain over west Maui and the southern slopes of Haleakalā. Rain was falling at a rate of 1 to 2 inches per hour. At 11:31 p.m., radar showed heavy rain over central and east Lānaʻi with the heaviest rainfall falling between Lānaʻi City and Kaiolohia “Shipwreck” Beach. Rain was falling at a rate of 1 to 2 inches per hour.

A Flood Watch remains in effect until 6 p.m. for the entire state.

Previous posts:

Special Weather Statement: Gusty showers for Maui through 1:30 a.m.
Update: 12:06 a.m., Jan. 9, 2024

Gusty showers will impact Maui through 1:30 a.m. on Tuesday, Jan. 9, 2024. At 12:05 a.m., Doppler radar was tracking gusty showers along a line extending from 5 miles east of Pūkoʻo, Molokaʻi to 20 miles south of Mānele, Lānaʻi.

Movement was northeast at 30 mph. Wind gusts of 35 to 45 mph are forecast.

The National Weather Service reports that gusty winds could knock down tree limbs and blow around unsecured objects.

Locations in the advisory include: Kahului, Kīhei, Lahaina, Kapalua, Honokōhau, Kahakuloa, Puʻunēnē, Waikapū, Wailuku, Waiehu, Māʻalaea, Waiheʻe, Kāʻanapali, Nāpili-Honokōwai, Olowalu, Kanahā Beach Park, Honolua Bay, Ukumehame Beach Park, and Launiupoko.

Maui Flood Advisory Until 3:15 a.m.
Update: 12:12 a.m., Jan. 9, 2024

The National Weather Service has issued a Flood Advisory until 3:15 a.m. for the island of Maui due to flooding caused by excessive rainfall.

At 12:09 a.m., radar showed heavy rain over west Maui and the southern slopes of Haleakalā. Rain was falling at a rate of 1 to 2 inches per hour.

Some locations that will experience flooding include: Kahului, Kīhei, Lahaina, Kula, Pukalani, Makawao, Kēōkea, Hāliʻimaile, Pāʻia, Puʻunēnē, Haʻikū-Paʻuwela, Wailea, Paʻuwela, Māʻalaea, ʻUlupalakua, Huelo, Mākena, Waikapū, Wailuku and Waiehu.

Lānaʻi Flood Advisory Until 2:45 a.m.
Update: 11:33 p.m., Jan. 8, 2024

The National Weather Service has issued a Flood Advisory until 2:45 a.m. for the island of Lānaʻi due to flooding caused by excessive rainfall.

At 11:31 p.m., radar showed heavy rain over central and east Lānaʻi with the heaviest rainfall falling between Lānaʻi City and Kaiolohia “Shipwreck” Beach. Rain was falling at a rate of 1 to 2 inches per hour.

Some locations that will experience flooding include: Lānaʻi City, Mānele and Lānaʻi Airport, according to the NWS.

Molokaʻi Flood Advisory until 2:30 a.m.
Update: 11:21 p.m., Jan. 8, 2024

The National Weather Service has issued a Flood Advisory until 2:30 a.m. on Tuesday, Jan. 9, 2024 for the island of Molokaʻi.

At 11:17 p.m. on Monday evening, radar showed a large band of heavy rain continues to move across the island of Molokaʻi. Heavy rainfall was mainly over the eastern end of the Molokaʻi near Kaunakakai and Pūkoʻo. Heavy rain was falling at a rate of 1 to 2 inches per hour.

*Maui Now’s Wendy Osher contributed to this report.