A bicyclist yesterday rode past a flooded area of Ala Moana Beach Park, which received about 2 inches of rain. Jeff Widener • The Honolulu Advertiser

Possibly loosened by rain, a boulder blocked one lane of Farrington Highway yesterday near Yokohama Bay Beach Park. Willard-Ray Hooks • Special to The Advertiser

DOT Director Rod Haraga said the road was closed to allow crews to roughen the pavement to ease slick conditions on the curve where traffic exits the Wilson Tunnel.

On the Leeward side, a boulder rolled down a hill at about 3 p.m. and closed a lane of Farrington Highway about one-quarter mile south of Yokohama Bay Beach Park, police said. A state crew removed the boulder from the mauka lane at about 6:30 p.m.

Rain may have loosened the boulder, police said.

Scattered showers are expected today as well as considerable sunshine, followed by a chance of thunderstorms in the afternoon over the interiors of O'ahu and Kaua'i.

Unsettled weather will continue through the New Year's weekend, with increasing clouds tomorrow and showers continuing through Friday, the National Weather Service said.

Forecasters said wind from the southwest may strengthen beginning late Thursday, and may build to high levels as the weekend approaches.

Yesterday's rain was brought by a series of fast-moving storm systems moving east. When they hit a high-pressure system east-northeast of the state late this week, high wind is expected.

Parts of O'ahu were soaked yesterday, including Honolulu airport with 3.61 inches in the 24-hour period ending at 8 p.m.