Another kona storm targets Hawaii with heavy rain, flooding and mudslide risk after weeks of relentless storms
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A third storm builds over already saturated ground
The islands have barely had time to recover.After two powerful kona storms in recent weeks, another system is now developing west of Hawaii and moving slowly toward the islands. The pattern repeats. Moisture builds, clouds thicken, rain follows.
This will be the third storm in about three weeks.
The ground is already saturated from earlier storms. Water has not fully drained. Conditions are primed for a rapid response once rain begins again.
“While there has been a bit more of a gap since the storm that wrapped up on March 21, the ground is still wet, and runoff from the new storm will be swift," said meteorologist Brett Anderson.
Heavy rain returns with flooding and mudslide risk
As the system approaches, it begins to pull tropical moisture northward across the Hawaiian Islands.Rainfall spreads gradually, then intensifies.
Showers become heavier at times, with thunderstorms developing in areas that are usually shielded from rain under the influence of northeast trade winds.
The impact builds with each wave of rain.
Flooding becomes a concern again. Mudslides are possible in areas where slopes have already been weakened by previous storms. Streams and reservoirs are expected to rise quickly as water runs off saturated ground.
Water moves faster when the ground cannot absorb it. That risk is now elevated.
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Another Kona Storm Targets Hawaii, Raising Fears of Fresh FloodingRecent storms already brought historic rainfall
The new system arrives after a period of exceptional rainfall.The second kona storm, which affected Honolulu, HI from March 19 to March 22, brought between 3 and 4 inches of rain to the area. Just days earlier, the first storm delivered nearly 10 inches between March 10 and March 15.
Combined rainfall from these two events reached nearly six times the typical March average in Honolulu, HI.
The scale has been significant.
Back-to-back storms triggered flash flooding, forced evacuations and caused widespread infrastructure damage across parts of the islands. Estimated total damage and economic loss has reached around $2 billion.
Water levels expected to rise quickly again
With another round of heavy rain on the way, attention turns to water systems.Streams and reservoirs are expected to respond quickly. Rising water levels increase pressure across levees and drainage systems.
There is concern that continued rainfall, combined with already elevated water levels, could increase the risk of structural failure in some areas.
The situation is sensitive.
Small changes in rainfall intensity may lead to rapid changes on the ground.
Wet pattern likely to persist beyond this storm
Even as this storm begins to weaken later in the week, the broader pattern is not expected to fully break.Moisture remains in place across the region.
Showers are likely to continue at higher-than-normal levels, including in areas that do not typically receive sustained rainfall under prevailing trade wind conditions.
The atmosphere stays active. The cycle continues.
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