The rain on Maui and the Big Island, the two islands that have been getting the brunt of the thunderstorms, may start easing tonight and tomorrow, said lead forecaster Roy Matsuda. A flash-flood watch has been issued for both islands, extending at least until tonight.

Several landslides were reported on Hana Highway this morning and the state Department of Transportation was advising motorists to avoid the area.

Landslides also shut down Kahekili Highway by Makamaka'ole on the northwest end of Maui. 'Iao State Park also was closed.

A high-surf advisory is in effect for north- and east-facing shores of all islands.

The wettest spots in the last 24 hours have been Kahakuloa on Maui, with 6.76 inches of rain, and Honoka'a on the Big Island with 5.82, Matsuda said.

The latest round of wet weather arrived Saturday with a shear line — a remnant of a front from the north — that brought with it cooler temperatures and rain, he said.

Trades are returning and temperatures have begun to come back up, Matsuda added. Lows that have dipped into the lower 60s at night have risen; tonight’s low is forecast at 68 degrees.

What has intensified the rain along the shear line has been a low-pressure system in the upper reaches of the atmosphere, he said: There, clouds have been able to build to thunderstorm capacity.

The upper-level system is beginning to weaken and, as the shear line continues its slow trek to the south, the rainy weather will dissipate, Matsuda said.

Glimpses of the sun will be fleeting, though.

"Each day will present a better chance of it," he said. "I think we’re seeing the down side of the weather today and possibly tomorrow, with improvement thereafter."

Civil defense officials on Maui and the Big Island today said there was no major flood damage to homes or businesses as a result of this latest rain episode.