HONOLULU – A tropical depression was forecast to bring heavy rains, blustery winds and waves as high as 8 feet as it passes south of Hawaii on Friday.
The National Weather Service issued a flash flood watch for the Big Island through Saturday afternoon. 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 11 p.m. Hawaii Standard Time, the center of the tropical depression was about 465 miles east-southeast of Hilo and about 680 miles east-southeast of Honolulu. It 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 further weakened to a tropical depression.
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