Hilo hit by heavy rains over weekend

A wet Sunday brought more than 2 inches of rain to some areas of Hilo.

Derek Wroe, a meteorologist with the National Weather Service in Honolulu said Monday that some places saw between 1.75 and 2 inches of rain, while others saw close to an inch.

A gauge in Piihonua measured 2.03 inches over the previous 24-hours while Waiakea Uka saw just over 1.9 inches.

“There was a disturbance aloft that was passing over the state that enhanced the rainfall and the tradewind flow,” he said. “That’s why we saw conditions that were rather wet over the Big Island.”

While some thick, high clouds remained over the state Monday morning, Wroe said those were expected to clear out by the evening.

The “next few days look pretty good,” but Wroe said a similar disturbance could bring more rainfall late Thursday or Friday.

High surf this weekend closed several Big Island beaches.

Moku Ola, known as Coconut Island, Onekahakaha and Kealoha, or Four Mile, beach parks remained closed Monday, according to an early morning message from Civil Defense.

A high surf advisory is in effect until 6 p.m. tonight for east-facing shores, according to the NWS.

Strong breaking waves, shore breaks and strong longshore and rip currents make swimming “difficult and dangerous,” the NWS said.

Email Stephanie Salmons at ssalmons@hawaiitribune-herald.com.
Source: Hawaii Tribune Herald