Oahu residents can expect a steady pattern of light to moderate easterly trade winds through the end of this week, before conditions gear up for a breezier weekend. The National Weather Service Honolulu predicts that high pressure rebuilding to the north will kick up the island's trade winds starting this Saturday.
According to the National Weather Service latest forecast, the weakening upper ridge, as an upper trough moves southward into the area, has led to a decrease in the pressure gradient. This will result in the trades slowing to a light to moderate pace. While this might sound inviting for a peaceful outdoor respite, the front associated with the upper trough will stall and dissipate north of Hawaii later today, possibly affecting the state's weather towards the end of the week.
Residents can expect the usual pattern of showers favoring windward and mauka spots, primarily during nighttime and the early hours. "Despite stable conditions, some afternoon cloud build-ups and brief showers can't be ruled out over interior and leeward sections where localized sea breezes form," as noted by the National Weather Service. While cloud cover may vary, the state is nonetheless expected to stay mostly dry.
For those hitting the skies, aviation conditions look clear with variable trades and isolated showers largely confined to windward areas. The front drifting north of the islands is contributing to the lighter trade winds, which are forecast to persist for a few days. While this week's weather is not creating troubling flying conditions, pilots should be aware of any shifts as the weekend approaches.
Marine life will have to adjust slightly with the easing trades causing a drop in surf along east-facing shores. Conversely, north-facing shorelines can anticipate a small surge as a moderate north swell builds on Thursday, peaking into Friday. "Forerunners are expected to hit the offshore buoys late tonight," which hints at the impending activity for the coasts, as reported by the National Weather Service. South facing shores will continue to witness small background swells through the week, keeping the waters gently animated.
