Star-Bulletin Breaking News - "Screaming eagle" brings thunderstorms

The disturbance to the normal tradewinds is nicknamed that by weather forecasters
Helen Altonn
haltonn@starbulletin.com

Blame last night’s heavy rain, thunder and lightning storm on a “screaming eagle.”
That’s what a disturbance in the tradewind flow sometimes is called because of its appearance on satellite imagery, the National Weather Service said.
The low pressure system brought thunderstorms to Oahu, dumping more than four inches of water in some areas, and it was headed toward Kauai today.
The highest rainfall amounts for 24 hours up to 8 a.m. were at Wilson Tunnel, with 4.34 inches, Upper Nuuanu, 4.26 inches and Luluku, 4.16 inches. More than three inches were recorded in parts of Manoa.

Runoff from the heavy rain forced the closure of Kamehameha Highway near Waikane Valley on the windward side of Oahu from about 12:34 a.m. to 2 a.m., according to Honolulu police dispatch.
Kapaa Quarry Road in Kailua was also closed during the same period because of flooding. Police reported no other major problems.
A low level disturbance moving into tradewinds under an upper level low pressure system combined to create unstable conditions with thunderstorms, said forecaster Peter Donaldson.
He said the threat of heavy rain will subside temporarily as the low level disturbance moves to the west.

But tradewinds carrying heavy rain are expected to continue blowing over Hawaii during the week because of a high pressure ridge about 500 miles north of the islands.
The low level system in the trade flow with the “screaming eagle” image was moving west today toward Kauai, with possible flooding forecast.
The upper level low pressure system is more or less stationary but is expected to move slowly to the northwest, Donaldson said.
Unstable atmospheric conditions may continue all week with tradewind showers mostly over windward areas, he said. “But there should be sunshine for the most part over the leeward areas.”