Tropical depression forecast to bring heavy rain to Hawaii

Tropical Depression Cosme is expected to bring heavy rains, blustery winds and high waves to Hawaii today as it passes south of the state.

The National Weather Service said that a flash-flood watch for the Big Island would be in effect through Saturday afternoon, with 5 to 10 inches of rain expected.

The highest amounts were predicted for east- and southeast-facing slopes.

The rains were forecast to begin this morning, with the heaviest amounts occurring late in the day and into early Saturday, forecasters said.

A wind advisory was issued for the summits on the Big Island and Maui.

Winds over the summits of Mauna Kea, Mauna Loa and Haleakala volcanoes were expected to increase to 25 to 35 mph this afternoon. They were forecast to increase to as high as 40 mph early Saturday before decreasing Saturday afternoon.

Meanwhile, small craft advisories were in effect for waters around Maui and the Big Island.

Surf of 8 feet was expected to arrive along southeast-facing shores of the Big Island this afternoon. The high surf was to reach east-facing shores of other islands Saturday morning.

Cosme was upgraded Monday to hurricane status as its winds intensified to about 75 to 80 mph. But it was downgraded to a tropical storm the next morning after its winds dropped below 74 mph. It further weakened to a tropical depression during the week.