Weather advisory map via National Weather Service/NOAA

5:30 p.m. Hawaii County Civil Defense flash flood watch and traffic advisory

After being closed due to flooding Kohala Mountain Road is now open to traffic.

All major highways and roadways are opened at this time however motorists are advised to drive carefully and to be prepared for hazardous conditions, ponding, and runoff, and to anticipate traffic delays.

Flash Flood Warning

The National Weather Service in Honolulu has issued a flash flood warning for Hawaii Island until 8:15 p.m.

At 5:18 p.m. weather radar showed heavy rain seven miles southeast of h]Hawi, or about 39 miles north of Kailua-Kona. Civil Defense reported Kohala Mountain Road was closed due to water covering the road at mile marker nine and a half. The area of heavy rain was nearly stationary.

Other locations in the warning include, but are not limited to, Mahukona and Waipio Valley.

This warning may be extended should flash flooding persist.

Campers and hikers should avoid low lying flood prone areas. People should stay away from streams, drainage ditches and low lying areas prone to flooding. The rainfall and runoff will cause hazardous driving conditions due to ponding, reduced visibility and poor braking action. Excessive runoff may cause rockslides and mudslides in steep terrain.

Do not cross fast flowing or rising water in your vehicle or on foot. Turn around, don’t drown.

Flash Flood Watch

A flash flood watch remains in effect until 6 p.m. Monday (Aug 24) for all Hawaii islands.

An unstable and very moist air mass remains across the main Hawaiian Islands. This tropical moisture interacting with island terrain will produce localized…intense and slow moving heavy rains that may lead to flash flooding.

For links to the latest weather forecasts, reports, radar and satellite imagery visit our Weather Page at hawaii247.com/weather

Marine Weather Statement

A very moist and unstable air mass will support the development of heavy showers and thunderstorms over Hawaiian waters. If venturing out on the water today…be prepared to encounter visibility near zero in very heavy showers…and be on the alert for dangerous cloud to surface lightning strikes. if caught on the open water during a thunderstorm…stay below deck. thunderstorms also have the ability to produce sudden waterspouts…which can easily overturn small boats and create locally hazardous seas.