Strong storm to blast Hawaii with severe thunderstorms, flooding rain and damaging winds
High Wind Warnings are in effect across the islands for gusts to 60 mph while a Severe Thunderstorm Watch is in place for the island of Kauai through Thursday at noon.
Severe Thunderstorm Watch issued for Hawaiian island of Kauai
A cold front dragging across the Hawaiian islands on Thursday will bring some potentially severe thunderstorms, hail and damaging winds. A low crossing the islands will bring more rain, and even snow to higher elevations through Friday afternoon.
HONOLULU– A powerful storm system will produce heavy rainfall, gusty winds, and rough waves throughout the Hawaiian Islands for the remainder of the workweek.
Power outages were rising on Thursday afternoon, and crews were working to clear roads from downed trees as a cold front moved across the islands, bringing heavy rain and strong winds.
The National Weather Service office in Honolulu has issued a Flood Watch for all islands from Wednesday through Friday afternoon as rain rates of 2-3 inches per hour are expected for some areas.
Flood alerts for Hawaii. (FOX Weather)
The rain and flash flooding also bring an increased risk for mudslides and landslides for much of the islands.
In addition to flash flooding, the storm system will bring thunderstorms and damaging winds to parts of the islands.
The National Weather Service in Honolulu issued a Severe Thunderstorm Watch for the island of Kauai and the surrounding waters until Thursday at noon. According to the alert, storms could bring winds up to 58 mph and destructive quarter-size hail.
Severe Thunderstorm Watch fro Kauai through Thursday at noon.
A High Winds Warning is in effect for all the Hawaiian islands through Friday afternoon.
Wind gusts of 20 and 35 mph are possible with gusts over 60 mph.
Wind alerts through Friday for Hawaii. (FOX Weather)
"The winds are going to be powerful with this thing," said FOX Weather Meteorologist Stephen Morgan.
The Hawaii Department of Transportation has reported downed trees and power outages that have affected traffic signals on the islands of Oahu, Maui, and Kauai.
Downed trees on Kekaulike Avenue in Kula on Jan. 30, 2025.
According to FindEnergy.com, nearly 11,000 customers in Hawaii were without power before 11 a.m.
Winds will be stronger for the summits on the island of Hawai'i until Friday. Winds between 50-70 mph with gusts peaking at 90 mph are expected, according to the National Weather Service.
Snow and ice are also possible on the high-elevation portions of the Big Island. A Winter Storm Warning is in place for the summits on the Big Island through Saturday morning.
Winter alerts for Hawaiian summits through Friday. (FOX Weather)
Heavy snow is forecast for these areas with accumulations of between one and two feet. Gusting winds up to 85 mph will also cause visibility concerns with blowing and drifting of the snow.
After the system passes through the islands on Friday, conditions are expected to quickly improve for the weekend.
The FOX Forecast Center is monitoring the possibility of the system impacting the U.S. West Coast early next week, with heavy rain and strong winds.
Future radar for Hawaii on Friday morning. (FOX Weather)
Ongoing mudslides, flash flooding
Video from MakaiClicks on Sunday shows flash flooding at Waimea Falls, a popular tourist attraction on Oahu.
Video: Water rushes down Waimea Falls on Oahu
A video captured Sunday shows a massive flow of water crashing down Waimea Falls on Oahu. The National Weather Service issued a flood watch through Friday for all the Hawaiian Islands.
In the video, a huge swell of muddy water comes from nowhere, crashing down the falls into the pool below. Another clip shows water rushing downhill, beneath a walkway bridge.
On Sunday on Maui, three girls had to be rescued by Maui County firefighters after they became trapped on a rock outcropping in the middle of Iao Stream.
WATCH: 3 GIRLS RESCUED FROM RAGING HAWAII STREAM AFTER GETTING STUCK ON OUTCROPPING
Video: 3 girls rescued from raging stream in Hawaii
The Maui County Fire Department said three girls were rescued Sunday after they got stuck on a group of rocks amid rising stream waters.