The winds of change are more a gentle breeze this week, as San Francisco's typical gusts give way to calmer conditions, according to the latest reports from the National Weather Service in Honolulu. A low pressure system lurking a safe distance northeast and a benign high-pressure ridge are our subtle puppeteers, pulling strings to ensure that trade winds stick around without much fuss. This atmospheric spell means we're in for "gentle to breezy trade winds through the rest of the week," with a side of limited showers mostly keeping to windward and mauka territories as per NWS.
Weather buffs tracking the state's skies will nod at an uneventful weather narrative, the NWS explains that the developing low pressure system is still held at arm's length—1100 miles away, to be precise. Meanwhile, radar and satellite join chorus to sing a song of minimal clouds and sparser showers, with most rain gauge readings sticking their tongue out at the drought with less than .02 of an inch mark over the past six hours. Yet, the Big Island's Kona slopes played a bit of catch-up, tallying just under a .20 of an inch in some parts.
Looking ahead to the weekend's script, Friday might see a bit more drama in the form of enhanced moisture—cue an uptick in clouds and windward showers. "High cirrus clouds are expected to remain through the rest of the week," the NWS forecast adds, ensuring that our celestial ceiling stays textured and interesting. On-ground, the wind's performance will take a lazy turn for a brief intermission around tomorow and Friday, especially over the western islands, before picking the pace back up for an energetic weekend encore.
In the maritime realm, seafarers and beach aficionados get a dose of moderate trade winds, courtesy of that sprawling low pressure and a dawdling ridge to the north. The next couple of days will let sailors enjoy gentler breezes as the trade winds are expected to drop a notch through Friday but will revitalize over the weekend with "moderate to locally strong levels," as the ridge rebuilds its presence over the islands as per NWS. And for those riding the waves, a south swell—courtesy of a storm-force low skirting through the southern latitudes last weekend—is predicted to bring a modest increase in surf by tonight, "with long period forerunners filling in locally tonight," with the crescendo expected to peak towards the end of the week.
Beachgoers hitting east-facing shores can expect the surf to mellow out by week's end, aligning nicely with the dwindling trade winds. "Tiny background swell energy from the west- northwest will continue to linger through today," maintains the NWS weather update, teasing the potential swell from the north-northwest early next week for the intrepid surf seekers.
As for advisories, the Hawaiian skies are as clear as their waters—no watches, warnings or advisories are on the bulletin board. For further information, updates are available at the National Weather Service Honolulu forecast office website.
