HAWAII – A Flash Flood Watch remains in effect for the entire State of Hawaii.

The National Weather Service reports an unstable and very moist air mass remains over the main Hawaiian Islands this morning. “This tropical moisture,” says NWS, “interacting with island terrain will produce localized… intense… and slow moving heavy rains that may cause flash flooding.” The flood watch will remain in effect through 6:00 pm tonight.

Hawaii County Civil Defense says heavy rains and occasional thunder and lighting is being reported across parts of the Big Island.

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

A Flood Advisory is also in effect for East Hawaii. Radar showed heavy rain along a line extending from near Hilo to near South Point moving northwest at 10 mph. Other locations in the advisory include the coast and lower slopes of North Hilo…South Hilo… Puna… and Kau districts.