As the gentle trade winds continue to brush through the Hawaiian islands, the National Weather Service in Honolulu anticipates a blend of sun and showers for the weekend dwellers. "Light to locally moderate trade winds are expected through Sunday," says the National Weather Service, leading to a smattering of showers primarily hitting windward areas, but it's the leeward and interior zones that might see those showers ramp up due to afternoon sea breezes. Residents on the Big Island should keep an eye out for a slight chance of thunderstorms rolling in.
In terms of what's looming overhead, satellite feeds reveal layers of low-level cumulus that have partnered with the moderate trades early this morning. Some windward locales have already seen rain totals approaching .40 of an inch. Meanwhile, leeward spots on the smaller islands have been getting their fair share, amounts generally remaining below .10 of an inch. An upper-level disturbance is on track to unsettle the skies further, possibly driving up those rain rates even more. "Expect stronger trade winds to return next week along with more stable conditions," the National Weather Service cautions, hinting at a return to stability in the days following.
Aviation reports reflect this mixed bag of meteorological twists, with light to moderate trade winds expected to set the backdrop this weekend, alongside afternoon sea breezes in the quieter leeward territories. Pilots should be on the alert for variable conditions, where MVFR and brief IFR may become more commonplace, especially around windward and mountain areas or where those sea breeze boundaries converge.
The maritime community is also adjusting their sails to the forecast. "A high northeast of the state will continue to weaken today," which means more gentleness on the seas—at least for now, as per the National Weather Service. Small Craft Advisory levels might very well be on the horizon, so sailors around Maui County and the Big Island ought to start bracing for those stronger winds anticipated to pick up as the new week unfolds. Surf hunters can expect a minor uptick in swell action on the north and east shores over the weekend, with south-facing shores potentially notching up near advisory levels by Sunday.
