RICHARD WALKER / RWALKER@STARBULLETIN.COM A light mist fell over downtown Honolulu yesterday afternoon, which meant it was time for the umbrellas to come out. Here, two women walked out of the Pacific Guardian Center to Bishop Street. Heavy rain showers that drenched part of Oahu last night are expected to continue islandwide into next week, according to the National Weather Service.

More showers
forecast for Oahu

Heavy rain is blamed in at
least two accidents that snarled
traffic for afternoon commuters

Intermittent heavy showers that drenched parts of Oahu last night -- backing up afternoon traffic and raising fears of flooding -- are expected to continue islandwide into next week, the National Weather Service said.

Current Hawaii weather

The unstable moist air mass to blame for yesterday's wet weather might also have caused several funnel clouds that residents reported seeing over Central Oahu, none of which forecasters could confirm. They say one funnel cloud was spotted about 1:45 p.m. near Pacific Palisades, while the others were seen earlier in the day.

Meanwhile, police said at least two accidents last night were likely rain-related.

On Likelike Highway, a van traveling Kaneohe-bound at about 5 p.m. flipped over near the Wilson Tunnel exit. The highway's Kaneohe-bound lanes were closed for more than two hours as officers worked to clear the road and investigate the accident. The van's driver sustained minor injuries.

At the McCully Street bridge, several cars were involved in an accident during an afternoon downpour. At least one man was taken to the hospital, but his condition was unavailable last night.

Heavy rain also backed up traffic on the H-1 freeway and other main thoroughfares last night, and caused ponding in parts of the road.

Cars were lined up for miles well after the evening rush.

"Just enough water on the road to snarl the traffic," said weather service public service forecaster Pete Donaldson.

He said residents should expect "more heavy rain to contend with" until tradewinds return Thursday.

"There's going to be a chance of heavy rain off and on," he said. "People need to stay alert."

The weather service issued an urban and small stream flood advisory yesterday afternoon for Oahu, and said radar images showed the heaviest rains falling over central and southern sections of the island.

The advisory wasn't extended last night as rain had let up in places, and was expected to decrease through the night, Donaldson said.

In the 12 hours ending at 5:45 p.m. yesterday, nearly an inch of rain had fallen at the Wilson Tunnel, Schofield Barracks, the Waihee Pump and in Waianae. More than an inch was recorded at Ahuimanu Loop and Moanalua.

Kauai's Na Pali Coast and the Big Island also got some heavy rain yesterday, Donaldson said.