Tropical Depression Three-C takes shape as Hawaii faces growing flood threat ahead of Halloween

THE TAKEAWAY

HAWAII – A week of developing severe storms is on the way for the Aloha State as a broad area of showers and thunderstorms over the Central Pacific has become Tropical Depression Three-C.

This system is expected to organize and move east toward Hawaii this week. Tropical Depression Three-C is moving east-northeast at 7 mph with winds gusting 35 mph, according to the National Hurricane Center.

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Despite developing into a tropical depression, the system remains disorganized, but is expected to draw deep tropical moisture across the Hawaiian Islands from Tuesday through Thursday.

According to the FOX Forecast Center, prolonged storms with heavy rain over two to three days, with several inches of precipitation, are expected to begin Tuesday, fueling a serious flash flood risk.

Flash flooding also brings the risk of mudslides in high-elevation areas, as 5 to 8 inches of rain is possible.

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Wind gusts are expected to increase as the system becomes more organized.

The heaviest rain will sweep from the south and west-facing slopes of the islands; this will create varying effects for different landscapes, as the direction the rain lashes will play a vital role.

"The direction the rain is moving from does matter," the FOX Forecast Center said. "Rain moving in from the southwest is much different than west-moving tropical systems that move from the East Pacific."

This wave of storms over the next few days is just the beginning, as another storm system could develop west of Hawaii for Halloween weekend, bringing even more rain to the Aloha State.

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The wet, nasty weather will feel never-ending this week as precipitation totals keep piling up, keeping thousands of residents on alert.

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The National Weather Service warns residents to prepare for periods of heavy rain this coming week, as storms are expected to fire up Monday night.

Forecast models remain uncertain, but impacts are expected, and the storm's track and potential rainfall will be monitored throughout the week leading up to the holiday weekend.