Posted on: Friday, November 5, 2004

Expect rain to last into weekend

By Curtis Lum
Advertiser Staff Writer

Heavy rain soaked parts of O'ahu yesterday and forecasters said showers are likely to continue through the weekend.

The rain was concentrated in Central O'ahu and parts of Windward O'ahu yesterday, but there were no reports of flooding or damage. The National Weather Service issued an urban and small stream flood advisory at 3:40 p.m., but canceled the advisory at 6:45 p.m. as the rain let up.

However, forecaster Norman Hui said an unstable air mass west of the Islands will probably bring rain to O'ahu for the next couple of days. Hui said it will also continue to be on the humid side because of the light southerly winds.

Hui said the wet, muggy weather is a little unusual for this time of year.

"If it's a real winter system, it'll come in, bring us the rain and then clear out," Hui said. "But what it is is we have this low-pressure trough just kind of sitting west of us, and from time to time it gets close and gives us this kind of weather and it's been like this for at least the past couple of weeks."

He said the rain probably won't be as heavy as on Saturday, when more than 10 inches of rain fell in Manoa Valley and caused major flooding and damage. However, Hui said because the ground is so saturated, "it doesn't take much more for flooding to occur."

The wet spots yesterday on O'ahu were at 'Ahuimanu, Waihe'e, Luluku, Wilson Tunnel, Maunawili, the airport, Schofield Barracks, Moanalua and Waiawa, where at least 1 inch of rain fell during the 24-hour period ending at 8 p.m.

Pau-hana traffic was heavy as commuters slogged through slick roads with limited visibility. To make matters worse, a truck overturned in the Wilson Tunnel, prompting police to close both Kane'ohe-bound lanes from 5:16 p.m. to about 7:30 p.m.

Reach Curtis Lum at 525-8025 or culum@honoluluadvertiser.com.