Weather patterns are quickly changing in the Hawaiian Islands this weekend. A post-frontal, drier pattern is expected to set in, with northwesterly winds shifting more northerly, signaling a more stable period ahead for island residents and visitors, according to the National Weather Service in Honolulu.
Winds have noticeably decreased on Hawaii's summits, where previously, High Wind Warnings and Advisories were a cause for concern. The winds have since eased below 20 mph on Mauna Kea, with gusts slowing down to under the 30 mph mark. This favorable shift in wind activity has led to the expiration of said warnings and advisories, signaling a calmer period for those particular areas.
Trade winds, seen as a hallmark of Hawaiian weather, are slated to make a return come Monday, courtesy of an area of high pressure carving its path from the west. Unfortunately, the tranquility may be briefly disrupted later in the week due to a passing trough. The National Weather Service cautions, "There remains a few discrepancies within the models with regards to timing, but they do indicate that there will be a brief disruption in late week trades."
A frontal passage heading toward the Big Island is expected to clear out by tomorrow, making way for better weather at the start of the workweek. In the marine forecast, a Small Craft Advisory remains in effect until 6 p.m. HST for several waters around the islands, with a swell expected to possibly increase surf to advisory levels by tomorrow night or Monday morning.
For now, the High Surf Advisory has been canceled for north facing shores as the surf heights have dropped below the advisory criterion. All in all, the forecast is looking favorable for those seeking to enjoy the unique beauty of Hawaii's weather without much of the wet and wild that sometimes comes with island life.
