Oahu and Kauai locals can expect to gradually see clearer skies as the National Weather Service in Honolulu predicts a return to the typical dry season conditions with trade winds and passing showers mainly hitting the windward slopes. According to their recent weather forecast, these moderate to occasionally brisk winds are holding steady, as a high-pressure system far to the north of the Hawaiian Islands maintains its influence through the upcoming weekend.
Early satellite and radar data reviewed by the NWS showed a considerable cloud and shower activity primarily over Oahu and Kauai, providing these islands with a notable increase in precipitation through the morning hours. As the high north of the state continues to surge and sway in strength, it's expected to "weekend late" over the weekend while a disturbance passing to the south may keep even the leeward zones a bit more lively than usual. This weather pattern means residents should prepare to adapt to changes rapidly over the next few days.
The NWS anticipated the drying trend to kick off this afternoon, sparked partly by the natural daytime cycle and the influx of a drier and more stable air mass. "CIMSS precipitable water vapor imagery shows the tail end of above normal moisture currently passing over the state with near to below normal moisture levels upstream that will start to filter in today," explained the NWS forecast. This shift in atmospheric conditions suggests a break from the morning's rainfall and cloud coverage.
For aviation interests, the NWS assures that a "stable, moderate to breezy trade wind flow will prevail," which should maintain general flight visibility, except for limited instances of marginal visual flight rules typically over windward areas. Although turbulence has prompted an AIRMET Tango alert, it's of a low-level and should consistently remain so over the next few days, impacting primarily those navigating the azure skies and their changeable companions, the winds.
Mariners will not be left in the lull either as the persistent high pressure contributes to maintaining "moderate to locally strong trade winds" according to the NWS forecast. Caution is advised, and currently, a Small Craft Advisory is active for several channels and waters around Maui and the Big Island through early Friday morning. Surfers can expect east shore surf holding near seasonal levels before tapering off, with a potential uptick in south shore surf around mid-next week.
The National Weather Service has issued advisories, which include a Small Craft Advisory for heightened areas, signaled to last until the break of dawn at 6 AM HST Friday. For up-to-date weather information, residents can visit weather.gov/hfo/AFD.
