14 hours Ago By Mateo Castillo
Residents in Honolulu can expect a shift in weather conditions as a weak trough just north of the state takes a westward turn, according to the National Weather Service's latest forecast. Stable weather is on the horizon with the gradual return of moderate easterly trade winds later today. As the surface trough weakens and moves away, an upper-level trough will also dissipate, making way for clearer skies and more predictable patterns.
The light winds lingering over the islands are replaced by a gentle breeze that strengthens throughout the day. "Moderate to locally breezy trades are expected to return Friday then hold through early next week," the NWS report indicates. Additionally, residents and visitors on the Big Island have been advised to expect vog to remain present for most of the day due to volcanic emissions and the current east southeast wind flow.
In terms of precipitation, scattered light to locally heavy showers have been spotted, primarily over coastal waters. Radar and satellite data reveal an accumulation of "a quarter to little over an inch of rainfall" in areas with persistent bands of clouds and showers. However, returning trade winds are anticipated to help clear some of the vog from smaller islands, anchoring it offshore of the Big Island as the evening approaches, as per NWS.
The aviation outlook points to trades favoring windward and mauka locations, with the possibility of marginal visual flight rules conditions in heavier showers. The NWS report assures that visual flight rules "should prevail" elsewhere. As for sea-bound folks, they're poised to experience strengthening trade winds, which are set to reach Small Craft Advisory levels for the windier coastal waters around Maui and the Big Island by Thursday.
Surfers will be interested to hear that a small northwest swell is dissipating, but is set to be replaced by a moderate to long-period north-northwest swell by Thursday, likely bringing surf above seasonal average. This swell will gradually taper off over the weekend, while elevated south shore surf remains due to multiple small south swells. And as for those looking toward east-facing shores, expect rough and choppy conditions as the trade winds pick up steam through Friday and into the weekend.
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