Light winds near the Big Island will spread across the rest of the state Sunday as the remnants of tropical cyclone Ela approach from the northeast. Conditions will remain hot and humid on Sunday, and locally heavy showers are also possible. Forecasters at the National Weather Service said Ela's remnants introduce the potential for localized heavy showers and a small possibility of thunderstorms on Sunday. At the same time, the remnant circulation around former Ela is expected to open up into a surface trough and this trough is expected to cross the islands Sunday. This will cause winds to become quite light Sunday. With dew points in the mid 70s to go along with typically hot July temperatures. This will produce afternoon heat indices near 100 degrees. The heat index is what the temperature feels like to the human body when relative humidity is combined with the air temperature. The body uses sweat to cool off, but when humidity is high, the body’s perspiration rate is slower, and you will feel warmer. This can still be a dangerous situation. According to NOAA, extreme caution should be used when the heat index is between 90 and 103 degrees. Prolonged exposure and or physical activity can result in heat stroke, heat cramps or heat exhaustion. Also, the heat index temperature is for shady locations. If you are exposed to direct sunlight, the heat index value can be increased by up to 15 degrees. There is some relief in sight. The National Weather Service in Honolulu said dew points will slowly drop tonight and tomorrow into the lower 70s, which will drop the heat index into the mid 90s for Monday. Once Ela's remnants depart, locally breezy trade winds will return, bringing more windward and mauka showers as well as more comfortable conditions. Check out our special Hawaii News Now Hurricane Center by downloading our news app.Also get real-time access to severe weather alerts. Download the HNN Weather App. Or text - APP to hnn808(466808) (message & data rates may apply) Related Links: Two new tropical depressions form south of HawaiiMeteorologists predict busier than normal hurricane season for central Pacific Copyright 2015 HawaiiNewsNow. All rights reserved.
Weather alert: A tornado watch is in effect for parts of central and southern Oklahoma through 6 p.m.