HONOLULU – Over 10 inches of rain fell in just 24 hours this weekend across parts of Hawaii as the state is drenched by a sprawling storm system. State offices and public schools were closed Monday after Governor Josh Green issued an emergency proclamation over the weekend to free up emergency resources in the event of widespread flooding and power outages.
Maui County shared images of localized flooding and debris slides on Sunday and shelters were set up across the islands in case conditions worsened.
A Flood Watch is in effect through Monday and wind gusts of up to 60 mph.
According to the FOX Forecast Center, a cold front has stalled over the Aloha State after first arriving Saturday.
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Strong trade winds are causing storms to repeatedly form and dump heavy rain, particularly along the northern slopes of the Big Island.
Laupahoehoe, some 20 miles northeast of Hilo, has already recorded more than 25 inches of rain.
Heavy rain remains the greatest concern through Monday, especially across those same windward mountain slopes.
Wind and rain are expected to subside by Tuesday as the system drifts west.
In addition to the gusty winds and flash flooding, heavy snow is expected at high altitudes on the Big Island atop Mauna Loa and Mauna Kea, as temperatures will be cold enough to support it.
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A Winter Storm Warning remains in effect for those summits with snow and blowing snow expected above 11,000 feet through Monday.
While snow may seem rare in Hawaii, the Big Island volcanoes are tall enough to frequently drop below freezing during the winter.
TIMELAPSE SHOWS SNOW ACROSS HAWAII’S MAUNA LOA VOLCANO
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