HAWAII ISLAND – A Flash Flood Watch is in effect for Hawaii Island through Thursday afternoon (updated expiration).

UPDATE (10:30 p.m.) – Flood Advisory is in effect for North Kona and South Kohala until 12:30 a.m. HST. At 9:28 p.m;. HST, radar indicated heavy rain near Waikoloa Village. The National Weather Service reported rain was falling at a rate of one and one half inch per hour.

UPDATE (5:20 p.m.) – The Flood Advisory issued earlier this afternoon is no longer in effect. At 2:07 p.m. HST, the National Weather Service says radar indicated heavy rain near Hilo. Rain was falling at a rate of 2 inches per hour.

Forecasters say a “very moist and unstable air mass interacting with an upper level trough will result in some unsettle weather and potential for flooding over the eastern part of the island chain through Wednesday.”

A Flash Flood Watch means that conditions may develop that lead to flash flooding.

Weather forecasters urge islanders to stay away from streams, drainage ditches and low lying areas prone to flooding. Rainfall and runoff will also cause hazardous driving conditions due to ponding, reduced visibility and poor braking action.”