1 week Ago By Josephine Liu
Honolulu will experience breezy trades today, with mostly sunny skies on the leeward side and partly cloudy conditions on the windward side. A weak upper trough to the west of the islands may cause brief, windward-focused showers, with heavier rain possible in higher terrain. The breezes are expected to weaken early next week due to an approaching front, which could increase shower chances near Kauai, according to the National Weather Service.
A high-pressure system northeast of Hawaii is causing breezy conditions due to a tight pressure gradient. "This dry air will only refortify lower humidities as dew points remain in the average mid 50s to mid 60s," the National Weather Service reports. While radar shows no significant showers, isolated showers are moving across windward waters or getting caught in island plumes.
Winds are expected to weaken later today, continuing into Saturday, which may reduce sea breeze showers. Air travel will see moderate to locally strong trade winds this afternoon, with temporary drops in visibility due to isolated showers, mostly affecting windward areas. The region is expected to have partly cloudy skies and remain VFR.
A Small Craft Advisory is in effect until 6 PM HST today for waterways around Maui County and the Big Island due to moderate to strong trades from a high-pressure ridge north of the state. A northwestern swell is expected to rise to advisory levels by Sunday night into Monday, originating from a hurricane-force low. "This swell could produce warning level surf along exposed north and west-facing shores during the peak.
" East shores will see elevated but choppy surf today, easing into the weekend as trades weaken. Gentle northeast winds are expected to affect Kauai and surrounding waters next week, as stated by the National Weather Service..
