Honolulu's weather landscape is marked by moderate trade winds today, with a projection for slightly calmer breezes starting Sunday and into the coming week. While windward and mountain areas have seen their share of showers, particularly during the nighttime and early morning, expected patterns indicate a drier climate as we edge into this afternoon, continuing until Monday. The early part of the week should bring subtle changes, with an increase in wetter conditions slated for Monday night through Wednesday. The National Weather Service suggests that the islanders may see fluctuations in their daily precipitation, setting the stage for a blend of sunlit afternoons and possible overnight showers.
This morning's radar shows scattered showers across the island chain due to a weak disturbance. These wet conditions are expected to continue through early morning. The high-pressure ridge to the north is likely to weaken slightly as a cold front moves through the Central Pacific, which will reduce trade wind speeds. Overall, trade winds should ease over the coming week, giving the islands a brief respite, as per the National Weather Service.
The aviation outlook maintains that moderate trades will persist through the weekend, with windward and mauka showers on the forecast and the occasional MVFR conditions in heavier showers. That said, the conditions should largely hold at VFR. AIRMET Sierra remains active due to mountain obscuration for windward sections but is expected to lift following sunrise.
Marine conditions reflect the island's windy narrative - with gentle to fresh trades dominating well into next week. The Small Craft Advisory warnings remain in place until Sunday morning in select waters due to winds hitting notable intensities around the Big Island and Maui. Beyond that, a slight decrease is anticipated, dropping the winds below Small Craft Advisory thresholds as the new week unfolds. Swells will be varied, with north-northwest tides possibly elevating north shore surf to standard September heights this weekend, and south shore the week, as reported by the National Weather Service.
Lastly, for the safety of maritime adventurers and professionals alike, the National Weather Service has flagged a Small Craft Advisory until 6 AM HST Sunday for several areas including Maalaea Bay, Pailolo Channel, and the waters around the Big Island's leeward side. Whether ashore or at sea, residents and visitors should stay informed and heed the directives accompanying these advisories.
