An extremely powerful winter storm is pulling away from Hawaii after unleashing damaging winds, massive waves, coastal flooding and snow in unusual places.

The storm, which the National Weather Service office in Honolulu described as “historic,” began pounding the islands Friday. Hawaii News Now reported a 66-year-old California man died in the rough surf off northwest Maui on Friday.

Forecasters “are calling this an unprecedented event and we concur that we rarely if ever have seen the combination of record high onshore waves, coupled with gale force winds,” said Sam Lemmo, administrator of Hawaii’s Department of Land and Natural Resources (DLNR).

The storm’s most extreme blow was generated on the Big Island’s towering peak of Mauna Kea, where a 191-mph wind gust blasted the mountain summit at 4:40 p.m. local time Sunday.

“That’s the strongest wind gust I’ve ever seen up there,” said Jon Jelsema, senior forecaster at the Weather Service office in Honolulu. “We tend to get a gust maybe to 150 mph once a winter or so, but never 191 mph.”

The visitor station on the 13,308-foot mountain is closed until Tuesday “due to the predicted continuation of severe weather,” according to the station’s website. The road is shut down whenever visibility drops below 50 feet, or winds gust to 65 mph or greater.

Hawaii saw a mixed bag of bizarre precipitation over the weekend. Several inches of snow fell on Haleakalā, a shield volcano in East Maui — something Jelsema described as “very unusual.”

Snowstorm on Maui!! Crazy! pic.twitter.com/sKvCglbdRF — Reel News Hawaii (@reelnewshawaii) February 11, 2019

Snow is much more common on the high peaks of the Big Island, at Mauna Kea and Mauna Loa.

The storm even deposited a coating of snow at Maui’s Polipoli State Park at an elevation of 6,200 feet according to Hawaii’s DLNR.

“Perhaps the first time ever, snow has fallen in a Hawai‘i State Park,” the DLNR posted to its Facebook page Sunday. “Polipoli State Park on Maui is blanketed with snow. It could also be the lowest elevation snow ever recorded in the state.”

The vigorous storm triggered rare severe thunderstorm warning for southern Kauai Saturday night.

Wind gusts up to 67 mph were clocked in the oceanside town of Port Allen in Kauai. The community is on the south side of the island, protected from the harshest conditions streaming in out of the northeast.

Wave heights approached 40 feet just north of Kauai on Sunday.

The National Weather Service had hoisted a high surf warning Thursday in anticipation of the event. It warned of “giant disorganized waves” that “could cause unprecedented coastal flooding Saturday night through Sunday.” Jelsema said his office had received numerous reports of road closures due to the coastal inundation.

“The sea state kind of looks like the water in a washing machine,” he said. “You have a mix of swell — which is generated in many different areas of the Pacific — combining with wind waves. One wave follows the next at pretty big intervals.”

Because of strong winds over the weekend, more than 2,400 customers across Hawaii were without power Monday morning, according to PowerOutage.us. That’s down from a peak of nearly 27,000.

RT @MauiElectric: 720p #MauiOutage update: Customers in Olinda and Piiholo area as well as parts of Haiku along Kokomo Rd and Kauihikoa Rd should d prepare for an extended outage with the possibility of an overnight outage. https://t.co/gYFlUfp8jS pic.twitter.com/OnIiiq9VeJ #hiwx — NWSHonolulu (@NWSHonolulu) February 11, 2019

The harsh conditions will begin to subside late Monday. The wind advisory in effect for the Big Island expires at noon local time. A high wind warning remains in effect until 6 p.m. local for the Big Island summits of Mauna Kea and Mauna Loa, where gusts may still top 140 mph before tapering down.

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Hurricanes are strengthening faster in the Atlantic, and climate change is a big reason why, scientists say </s> A strong storm hitting Hawaii has knocked out power, brought down tree branches, flooded coastal roads and even brought snow. (Feb. 11)

A strong storm hitting Hawaii has knocked out power, brought down tree branches, flooded coastal roads and even brought snow. (Feb. 11)

HONOLULU (AP) — A strong storm hitting Hawaii has knocked out power, brought down tree branches, flooded coastal roads — and even brought snow.

Snow is not unheard of in mountainous parts of the tropical island chain, but officials say the coating at 6,200 feet (1,900 meters) at a state park on Maui could mark the lowest-elevation snowfall ever recorded in the state.

The National Weather Service says gusts hit nearly 70 mph (110 kph) in some areas, and the agency is warning of coastal flooding. A high-surf advisory was in effect for north- and west-facing shores of several islands.

The Honolulu Star-Advertiser reports that trees were toppled on several islands along with power outages and roof damage. Two ground hornbill birds escaped from the Honolulu Zoo after the storm damaged their enclosure.

Hawaii News Now reported that one man was injured when a utility pole crashed on his vehicle. Other minor injuries were reported. </s> HONOLULU (AP) — The Latest on winter weather in parts of the U.S. (all times local):

As a snowstorm paralyzes much of the Pacific Northwest, officials are warning about severe surf and winds in Hawaii as a winter storm hits that state.

The National Weather Service said gusts hit 40 mph (64 kph) in some areas, and authorities said residents on the islands' north shores should be prepared for coastal flooding. Hawaii News Now reported that the surf was forecast to top out at 60 feet (18 meters) on Sunday. Residents on Oahu's North Shore were told to be ready to evacuate.

A 66-year-old California man died after getting stuck in rough ocean conditions in Napili Bay, off northwest Maui, on Friday. Rescuers brought him to shore and unsuccessfully performed CPR. The man's identity was not immediately released.

Residents of the Northwest are dealing with a heavy snowfall, and meteorologists say more is likely on the way.

About 200 flights were canceled at Seattle-Tacoma and Portland international airports Saturday, roughly matching the number of Friday cancellations. Severe snow drifts shut down Interstate 90 and other roads in central Washington.

More than a foot of snow (30.5 cm) was recorded in some areas, including on the Olympic Peninsula.

In Seattle, where such snow is a rarity, residents cleared out grocery store shelves and left work early Friday afternoon as the storm arrived.

The National Weather Service said a storm warning remained in effect, with an additional 1 to 3 inches (2.5 to 7.6 cm) possible on Saturday and another storm in the forecast early next week. </s> HONOLULU (AP) — The Latest on winter weather in parts of the U.S. (all times local):

8 p.m. Residents of the Pacific Northwest took to neighborhood hills with skis, sleds or even just laundry baskets Saturday to celebrate an unusual dump of snow in a region more accustomed to winter rain.

Some areas received more than a foot of snow, and meteorologists say more is on the way early next week. Hundreds of flights were canceled in Seattle and Portland, and heavy snow drifts closed major highways in eastern Washington. Around 50,000 people lost power.

Residents cleared out grocery store shelves and left work early Friday afternoon as the storm arrived. More than a foot of snow (30.5 cm) was recorded by Saturday morning in some areas, including on the Olympic Peninsula, in the nation's latest bout of winter weather.

As a snowstorm paralyzes much of the Pacific Northwest, officials are warning about severe surf and winds in Hawaii as a winter storm hits that state.

The National Weather Service said gusts hit 40 mph (64 kph) in some areas, and authorities said residents on the islands' north shores should be prepared for coastal flooding. Hawaii News Now reported that the surf was forecast to top out at 60 feet (18 meters) on Sunday. Residents on Oahu's North Shore were told to be ready to evacuate

A 66-year-old California man died after getting stuck in rough ocean conditions in Napili Bay, off northwest Maui, on Friday. Rescuers brought him to shore and unsuccessfully performed CPR. The man's identity was not immediately released.

Residents of the Northwest are dealing with a heavy snowfall, and meteorologists say more is likely on the way.

About 200 flights were canceled at Seattle-Tacoma and Portland international airports Saturday, roughly matching the number of Friday cancellations. Severe snow drifts shut down Interstate 90 and other roads in central Washington.

More than a foot of snow (30.5 cm) was recorded in some areas, including on the Olympic Peninsula.

In Seattle, where such snow is a rarity, residents cleared out grocery store shelves and left work early Friday afternoon as the storm arrived.

The National Weather Service said a storm warning remained in effect, with an additional 1 to 3 inches (2.5 to 7.6 cm) possible on Saturday and another storm in the forecast early next week. </s> HONOLULU — Officials are warning about severe surf and winds in Hawaii as a winter storm hits that state.

The National Weather Service said gusts hit 40 mph in some areas, and authorities said residents on the islands’ north shores should be prepared for coastal flooding. Hawaii News Now reported that the surf was forecast to top out at 60 feet on Sunday.

On Sunday afternoon, residents of Oahu’s north and west shores were told to take precautions because of storm surf washing over coastal roads, the Honolulu Star-Advertiser reported. High winds took down poles, trees and power lines on the island, the newspaper reported.

There were also reports Sunday in Maui of fallen trees, and Bayfront Highway on the Big Island was closed because of high surf and is set to remain closed until Wednesday, the Star-Advertiser reported. </s> The unusually intense storm will hammer Hawaii on Sunday and into the week with widespread high winds and potentially damaging coastal flooding in unusual locations of the island chain. There is even a chance of some mountaintop snow in at least one unusual location. A High Wind Warning has been issued by the National Weather Service (NWS) for the whole archipelago.

NWS is warning of winds gusting up to 60mph, blowing westerly at first before turning northwest on Sunday night. The warning is in place across all islands in the Hawaii archipelago, and will remain in place until at least 6am local time (4pm GMT) on Monday. Peak winds are expected on Sunday afternoon, with major hazards expected. The NWS warned of driving hazards, damage to roofs, flying debris and downed trees.

Widespread power outages are also expected across the island chain. There are also warnings of this fast-moving storm generating waves reaching 40 to 60 feet, which pose a risk to boats and could come very near the Hawaiian Islands, particularly the northern shores. The National Weather Service in Honolulu says these waves could cause “unprecedented coastal flooding to north and west facing shores late Saturday and Sunday”. The north shores of Hawaii are no stranger to high surf generated from distant North Pacific storms in the winter months.

However, swells generated by this intensifying storm will produce "giant, disorganised waves" which pose the risk of flooding. NWS also warned of "extreme harbour surges" along north and west-facing shores of Kauai, Oahu, Molokai and north-facing shores of Maui this weekend. Authorities are stressing the potential for "significant damage to coastal property and infrastructure," with "evacuations and road closures possible." Experts are calling this storm an unusual one. Instead of approaching from the west or northwest, this storm will stream in from south of the Aleutian Islands to near the Hawaiian Island chain this weekend. </s> Following a rare snowstorm that paralyzed much of the Pacific Northwest over the weekend, officials are warning about severe surf and winds in Hawaii.

Gusts have already hit 40 mph (64 kph) in some areas, according to The National Weather Service, as authorities said residents on the islands' north shores should be prepared for coastal flooding.

The surf was forecast to top out at 60 feet (18 meters) on Sunday, Hawaii News Now reported, with residents on Oahu's North Shore being told to prepare for possible evacuation.

Multiple advisories and warning are currently in effect for the area.

A 66-year-old California man died after getting stuck in rough ocean conditions in Napili Bay, off northwest Maui, on Friday.

Rescuers brought him to shore and unsuccessfully performed CPR, on the currently unidentified man.

Weather reports warned of damaging winds, high surf and damaging coastal flooding to close out the weekend in Hawaii, which is currently operating five hours behind the east coast, on Hawaii Standard Time.

Key messages for the Central Pacific islands issued by the National Weather Service at 5am HST (10am Eastern) noted that coastal inundation and damage to coastal properly was likely, due to dangerously high surf.

Others dangers for Hawaiians to be aware of included ocean water sweeping across roadways, significant beach erosion, extreme habour surges, and giant, disorganized waves.

'Stay off the beaches!' NWS said, pertaining to the surf only. In terms of the wind risk, NWS told residents to be prepared for downed trees and power outages, with property damage likely.

High wind warnings are all in effect at this time in various part of Hawaii, through 6am HST (11am Eastern) on Monday.

High surf warnings begin at 4pm HST (9pm Eastern) on Sunday, and also extend through 6am HST (11am Eastern) on Monday.

'Inexperienced persons should remain off beaches and adjacent beachfront areas,' NWS said. 'Large breaking surf, significant shorebreak, and dangerous currents make entering the water very hazardous.'

A Gale Warning is also currently in effect for all Hawaiian waters, similarly extending through 6am HST (11am Eastern) on Monday.

'A Gale Warning means winds of 34 to 47 knots are imminent or occurring,' NWS said. Operating a vessel in gale conditions requires experience and properly equipped vessels. It is highly recommended that mariners without the proper experience seek safe harbor prior to the onset of gale conditions.'

In the Pacific Northwest on Saturday, the region more accustomed to winter rain saw some areas under a considerable amount of snow, and meteorologists say more is on the way early next week.

Hundreds of flights were canceled in Seattle and Portland over the weekend, and heavy snow drifts closed major highways in eastern Washington, with around 50,000 people losing power on Saturday.

Parts of Seattle were in a complete whiteout on Friday, with one resident captured on camera taking his own selfie against the solid wall of white.

Residents in Seattle cleared out grocery store shelves and left work early on Friday afternoon as the storm arrived.

Many businesses and schools closed early,as well, so workers could get home.

State and local officials urged people to stay off the roads over the weekend as traffic slowed to a standstill in some places because of the snow.

More than a foot of snow (30.5 cm) was recorded by Saturday morning on the Olympic Peninsula, in the nation's latest bout of winter weather.

Severe snow drifts shut down Interstate 90 and other roads in central Washington.

About 200 flights were canceled at Seattle-Tacoma and Portland international airports on Saturday, roughly matching the number of Friday cancellations. </s> This post was originally published on this site

U.S. NEWS Hawaii braces for storm that could bring waves up to 60 feet https://linewsradio.com/hawaii-braces-for-storm-that-could-bring-waves-up-to-60-feet/ http://abcnewsradioonline.com/national-news/

ABC News(HONOLULU) — An intensifying Pacific storm about 500 miles north of Kauai is rapidly moving south toward the Hawaiian Islands.

The storm will come very near Hawaii on Sunday. The storm will continue to intensify as it passes close to the islands, before the storm turns back east sometime early Monday.

This rapidly intensifying, fast-moving storm will likely generate waves reaching 40 to 60 feet, which could come very near the Hawaiian Islands — especially the northern shores.

The National Weather Service in Honolulu said these waves could cause “unprecedented coastal flooding to north and west facing shores late Saturday and Sunday.”

The National Weather Service is talking about extreme impacts to the coastline with possible significant damage to coastal property and infrastructure.

Additionally, the storm likely will bring wind gusts up to 60 mph, which will cause power outages and downed trees. On the mountain tops, winds could gust well over 100 mph. </s> ABC News(HONOLULU) — An intensifying Pacific storm about 500 miles north of Kauai is rapidly moving south toward the Hawaiian Islands.

The storm will come very near Hawaii on Sunday. The storm will continue to intensify as it passes close to the islands, before the storm turns back east sometime early Monday.

This rapidly intensifying, fast-moving storm will likely generate waves reaching 40 to 60 feet, which could come very near the Hawaiian Islands — especially the northern shores.

The National Weather Service in Honolulu said these waves could cause “unprecedented coastal flooding to north and west facing shores late Saturday and Sunday.”

The National Weather Service is talking about extreme impacts to the coastline with possible significant damage to coastal property and infrastructure.

Additionally, the storm likely will bring wind gusts up to 60 mph, which will cause power outages and downed trees. On the mountain tops, winds could gust well over 100 mph. </s> HONOLULU — Hurricane Lane soaked Hawaii's Big Island on Thursday, dumping nearly 20 inches of rain in nearly 24 hours as residents stocked up on supplies and tried to protect their homes ahead of the state's first hurricane since 1992.

The National Weather Service warned that Lane will get "perilously close" to Hawaii and that some areas could see up to 30 inches (about 80 centimeters) before the system passes.

Lane was not projected to make direct hit on the islands, but officials warned that even a lesser blow could do significant harm.

"You do not need a direct strike to have major impacts from a hurricane this strong," said Steve Goldstein, a meteorologist at the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration in Washington.

The center of the Category 4 storm was predicted to move close to or over portions of the main islands later Thursday or Friday, bringing dangerous surf of 20 feet (6 meters) and a storm surge of up to 4 feet (1 meter), forecasters said. As of 11 a.m., the hurricane was about 275 miles (460 kilometers) south of Honolulu.

Lane "shifted a little closer to the islands, unfortunately," meteorologist Melissa Dye said. "Big Island and Maui are in the thick of it now."

As Lane moved closer to the islands, it was expected to weaken more rapidly and turn toward the west. But it was unknown exactly when that would happen, forecasters said.

Pablo Akira Beimler, who lives on the coast in Honokaa on the Big Island, said the road to Hilo was cut off due to landslides.

"Rain has been nonstop for the last half hour or so and winds are just starting to pick up," Beimler said as he posted videos of trees being blown sideways. "Our usually quiet stream is raging right now."

He said staying put is about the only choice he has.

"We essentially have one way in and out of our towns so sheltering in place is the priority," Beimler said in a Twitter message.

Two campers were reported trapped overnight in Waipio Valley, along the Big Island's northern coast. The campers called authorities Wednesday, but emergency crews could not mount a rescue operation.

"We can't go in because the roads — there's a river of water down there," said Hawaii County Managing Director Wil Okabe. Landslides had closed some roads.

In addition, there were reports of boulders falling into a park in Hilo on the east side of the island, Okabe said.

Shelters opened Wednesday on the Big Island and on the islands of Maui, Molokai and Lanai. Officials urged those needing the Molokai shelter to get there soon because of concerns that the main highway on the island's south coast could become impassable.

On the island of Oahu, shelters were scheduled to open Thursday. Aid agencies were also working to help Hawaii's sizeable homeless population, many of whom live near beaches and streams that could flood.

Because there's not enough shelter space statewide, Hawaii Emergency Management Agency Administrator Tom Travis urged people who were not in flood zones to stay home.

On the island of Lanai, it was eerily dead still and gray, said Nick Palumbo II, who owns Lanai Surf School and Safari.

"It's relatively like a regular day," he said by telephone. "I got friends calling me telling me there's surf at the beach, and they're actually going surfing right now."

He won't be joining them and instead is staying home with his four children since there's no school.

Palumbo is prepared for the storm after boarding up one large window and stocking up on snack food. He's also got a freezer full of fish he's caught on dives and deer he's hunted on the island to last them through the storm.

"I don't have a generator, but I figure as things thaw out, if the electricity goes, we'll just get cooking," he said.

The central Pacific gets fewer hurricanes than other regions, with about only four or five named storms a year. Hawaii rarely gets hit. The last major storm to hit was Iniki in 1992. Others have come close in recent years.

Napua Puaoi of Wailuku, Maui, said she and her husband planned on boarding up their windows and sliding doors. She was 12 at the time of Hurricane Iniki.

"When it did happen, I just remember pandemonium. It was all-out craziness," she said.

Unlike Florida or Texas, where residents can get in their cars and drive hundreds of miles to safety, people in Hawaii are confined to the islands. They have to make sure they have enough supplies to outlast power outages and other potential emergencies.

The Federal Emergency Management Agency moved several barges packed with food, water, generators and other supplies into the region ahead of Hurricane Hector, which skirted past the islands more than a week ago, FEMA Administrator Brock Long said.

Associated Press writers Mark Thiessen and Dan Joling in Anchorage, Alaska, Seth Borenstein in Washington and Annika Wolters in Phoenix contributed to this report.
A winter storm hits Hawaii, depositing snow at record-low elevations at Polipoli State Park, along with massive waves, coastal flooding, and strong winds, resulting in at least one death.