Forecasters are predicting stormy weather on Good Friday for Kauai, Oahu and Maui, including the possibility of hail, thunder and lightning, damaging wind and heavy rain. The weather also could bring snow to Hawaii island summits.
“A severe storm or two can’t be ruled out,” forecasters said Thursday afternoon.
A weather system with cold air in the upper atmosphere is moving across the state from the west and colliding with warm, moist tropical air from the south, creating the potential for severe weather, said Jon Jelsema, a meteorologist with the Honolulu office of the National Weather Service.
Hail could form, along with strong wind and thunderstorms. The system could also bring snow to Mauna Kea and Mauna Loa from Friday afternoon through Saturday night.
The heaviest rain was expected on Kauai overnight Thursday and predicted to move over Oahu and Maui today.
Jelsema said the greatest potential for severe weather will be Friday afternoon when daytime heating is at its peak.
The chance of rain on Oahu will linger through Saturday.
But there could be some good news for those bothered by heavy vog.
Northeast winds behind the weather system, combined with rain “knocking some of the vog out of the air should mean clearer air on Saturday,” Jelsema said.
Most of the rain should clear Oahu by Sunday.
But relief could be brief.
Another weather system could bring more showers Monday and Tuesday, the Weather Service said.