10/28/2026
π§οΈ Weather Update | Wednesday, Oct. 28, 2026 π§οΈ
πΈ 10:26 AM HST | 1:26 PM PT | 3:26 PM CT | 4:26 PM ET
HawaiΚ»i is dealing with a rare monsoon trough π
π¨ How rare is this? HawaiΚ»i doesnβt have a monsoon season. Our weather is normally driven by northeast trade winds, so monsoon-type weather reaching the islands is highly unusual. The National Weather Service calls it βexceedingly rareβ and says it doesnβt usually happen here. This yearβs strong El NiΓ±o stretched the monsoon trough all the way from the Western Pacific into the Central Pacific, and moisture levels are in the 99th percentile for HawaiΚ»i. π
π€ Whatβs a monsoon trough? Itβs a long band of low pressure in the tropics where winds meet and pile up deep tropical moisture. As that moist air rises, it forms clouds, heavy rain, and thunderstorms. Because itβs slow-moving, rain lingers longer, raising the flood risk. βοΈ
β‘οΈ Direction: The system is moving slowly east across the islands, with tropical moisture streaming in from the southwest and lifting northeast. βοΈ
Current status:
β οΈ Flood Watch for all main Hawaiian Islands until 5 a.m. Thursday
π Greatest flood threat: OΚ»ahu and Maui County, but all islands are at risk
π Flood advisory issued for MolokaΚ»i this morning
ποΈπ¨ High Wind Warning for the Maunakea and Mauna Loa summits until noon
π City and County of Honolulu opened emergency shelters and partially activated its Emergency Operations Center
Outlook: π€οΈ Heavy rain threat expected to ease Thursday and Friday, but humid, showery weather may linger. β
π² Monitor NWS Honolulu for updates and be ready to act if a Flash Flood Warning is issued. Turn around, donβt drown π«ππ
Stay safe, HawaiΚ»i. MΔlama pono π€
