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Powerful Storm Batters Hawaii With Flooding, Winds, and Snow
The slow-moving kona low system is expected to bring high-impact weather across the islands for the next week.
Published on Mar. 11, 2026
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A powerful and slow-moving storm system, known as a kona low, is inching across Hawaii, bringing an extended period of heavy rain, thunderstorms, strong winds, and even significant snowfall on the Big Island's highest peaks. Forecasters have issued a range of weather watches and warnings, including for flash flooding, severe storms, high winds, and winter weather, as the storm is expected to linger over the islands through the weekend.
Why it matters
Hawaii is bracing for a potentially dangerous and high-impact weather event that could lead to widespread flooding, power outages, and hazardous travel conditions across the state. The prolonged nature of the storm system is also unusual, as kona lows typically move through the region more quickly.
The details
The kona low storm system has already brought heavy rainfall to the western islands of Kauai and Oahu, with rainfall rates reaching up to 2 inches per hour on Tuesday. As the storm slowly moves eastward, the flood threat is expected to grow, with the potential for streams and drainage systems to overflow, leading to road closures, property damage, and landslides. In addition to the flooding risk, the storm is also expected to bring severe thunderstorms, with the potential for strong winds, large hail, and even tornadoes, especially on Friday and Saturday. On the Big Island's highest peaks, the cold air associated with the storm could also allow for heavy snow accumulations of up to 8 inches.
- The storm system began impacting the western islands of Kauai and Oahu on Tuesday, March 11, 2026.
- Flood watches have been issued for Niihau, Kauai, Oahu, Maui County, and the Big Island through Saturday afternoon, March 15, 2026.
- A high wind watch has been issued for the Big Island summits from Thursday evening, March 13, 2026, through Sunday afternoon, March 16, 2026.
- A winter storm watch has been issued for areas above 12,000 feet on the Big Island from Thursday evening, March 13, 2026, through Saturday afternoon, March 15, 2026.
The players
National Weather Service
The federal agency responsible for weather forecasting and issuing weather-related watches, warnings, and advisories in the United States, including Hawaii.
What they’re saying
“A 'high-impact weather event' was beginning to unfold, as the system strengthened northwest of the state, drawing in very moist tropical air northward toward Hawaii.”
— Honolulu office of the National Weather Service (nytimes.com)
What’s next
Forecasters will continue to monitor the storm system and provide updates on the potential impacts, including the possibility of additional weather watches and warnings being issued as the storm progresses across the islands.
The takeaway
This kona low storm system is a stark reminder of Hawaii's vulnerability to high-impact weather events, which can bring a range of hazards, from flooding and severe storms to rare snowfall on the state's highest peaks. As climate change continues to influence weather patterns, events like this may become more frequent, underscoring the importance of disaster preparedness and resilience efforts across the Hawaiian Islands.
