First cold front of season could bring a week of rain

By James Gonser
Advertiser Staff Writer

Rain is expected across the Islands for the next week or so as the first major cold front of the winter season approaches, but showers should dissipate in time for Halloween trick-or-treaters, according to the National Weather Service.

Weather service forecaster Jeff Powell said southerly winds are bringing showers to parts of the state — including West O'ahu yesterday morning — and will continue throughout the weekend.

The cold front is expected to hit Kaua'i Monday night, pass through the central islands and stall over Maui on Tuesday and Wednesday.

The wettest day on O'ahu should be Tuesday, he said.

Powell said no weather advisories are expected.

"We are not anticipating any flooding at this point," he said. "That may need to be reassessed as the front gets closer."

The rain comes as good news for the Honolulu Board of Water Supply, which called for voluntary conservation in August after water consumption topped 180 million gallons a day in early June.

O'ahu residents have been asked to water lawns only from midnight to 10 a.m. or 6 p.m. to midnight on Sundays, Tuesdays and Thursdays.

Water customers used 154.60 million gallons a day for the week ending Oct. 15, a 6 percent drop from the same week last year.

"A single rain event does not break a drought," Powell noted. "The water restriction is to reduce demand, not increase supply."

Since Jan. 1, only 6.86 inches of rain has fallen at Honolulu airport, 5.67 inches below normal.

Reach James Gonser at jgonser@honoluluadvertiser.com or 535-2431.