NWS Honolulu's latest weather forecast indicates a continuation of wet weather for Hawaii as the islands experience the remnants of Gilma and brace for the remnants of Hector. Residents and visitors can expect this pattern to persist through the weekend, with improvements signaling a return to moderate trade winds and more stable conditions early next week.
The remnant low of Gilma is causing isolated thunderstorms, particularly along the southern flank near the Big Island. These storms may extend to Maui and Molokai as the system drifts westward. An additional wet system, attributed to the leftovers of Hector, is also set to impact the islands starting tomorrow night. However, these conditions are not predicted to elevate wind threats significantly, yet increased showers are expected across the state as the weekend progresses.
With the remnants of Gilma influencing local weather, the trade winds are forecasted to remain gentle, giving way to a blend of light sea breezes and moderate winds until Sunday. The usual afternoon cloud build-up over higher island terrain could bring brief showers, including in areas typically shielded by the mountains. According to the NWS, "afternoon sea breezes will tend to build clouds over island mountain and interior sections."
Looking ahead, the weather outlook becomes more favorable for the archipelago. As the remnants of Hector clear, the East Pacific high is projected to fortify, allowing trade winds to pick up again. Next week, expect a reversion to familiar patterns with passing showers concentrating primarily over windward and mountain spots, particularly during the nighttime and early morning hours.
For aviators, the weather scenario implies a dominance of VFR conditions, although sporadic MVFR conditions could arise in showers. An AIRMET Sierra remains in effect due to mountain obscuration from ongoing showers. Mariners should take note of the remnants of Gilma, as its passage impacts the coastal waters, mainly to the north of the Big Island. While outer areas of windward waters might encounter fresh to strong easterly winds, other areas will see declining trade winds that will eventually turn southeasterly and then easterly by the weekend.
The surf outlook remains moderate, with east facing shores of Oahu and Kauai potentially experiencing slightly elevated levels due to Gilma's residual swell. Expect trade winds by Sunday to stir up the east shore surf once more. Meanwhile, other shores should see relatively small surf, with south facing shores receiving minimal swells to keep the conditions from going flat. Finally, no weather advisories, watches, or warnings are currently in place for the state.
