Hawaii Braces For A Tropical Depression

A tropical depression was expected to bring heavy rains, blustery winds and waves as high as eight feet to Hawaii as it passes south of the islands on Friday.

The National Weather Service issued a flash flood watch for the Big Island through Saturday afternoon, as well as a high surf advisory. Meanwhile, small craft advisories were in effect for waters around Maui and the Big Island.

Winds over the summits of Mauna Kea, Mauna Loa and Haleakala volcanoes were expected to increase to 25 to 35 mph Friday afternoon. Tropical storms sustain winds of at least 39 mph.

At 2 a.m. Hawaii Standard Time (8 a.m. EDT), the center of the tropical depression was about 420 miles southeast of Hilo and was moving west near 17 mph with maximum sustained winds near 35 mph with higher gusts.

The depression formed Saturday about halfway between Mexico and the Hawaiian Islands and became Tropical Storm Cosme on Monday. It was upgraded to hurricane status as its winds intensified to 75 to 80 mph but was downgraded Tuesday morning after its winds dropped below 74 mph. It has further weakened to a tropical depression.