Kauai and Niihau residents, brace yourselves for a soggy end to the week as a cold front moves into the area today before stalling near the Kauai Channel. The National Weather Service in Honolulu forecasts wet weather for Kauai County with "some enhanced showers moving into Oahu." While this may dampen spirits on the islands, trade winds are picking up by Friday, offering a slight respite from the rainfall.
According to the latest satellite imagery, Kauai County is under the gun for a bout of wet weather continuing through Friday, however, as the weakened frontal system is expected to produce "periods of wet weather across Kauai County for the next two days." These conditions are expected to shift later in the week. "Trade winds will quickly build in across the region behind the front over Kauai from morning to afternoon, then spread eastward across the state on Friday", the NWS report specified. Beachgoers should note, however, that vog will likely obscure island views through Friday, but trade winds are anticipated to clear the air as the weekend approaches.
Mariners should take heed as the weather conditions pose a potential risk on the waters. Light to moderate southerly winds will prevail ahead of the front, followed by moderate northerly winds in its wake. The NWS has indicated that "Small Craft Advisory conditions may return first for the western half of the state as early as Friday around Kauai then for the rest of the state over the weekend as strong trades winds return and seas build to 10 feet or greater due to moderate and a large north swells." Those planning to take to the sea should prepare for challenging conditions and rough waves.
For the surf enthusiasts, the waves will start modestly but expect an increase later today into Friday. A north-northwest swell will bring surf "near to just below advisory level along north and west facing shores." Furthermore, the NWS anticipates that a large to extra large, long period swell will hit Saturday, potentially causing "warning level surf along north facing shores with advisory level surf across west and east facing shores through the weekend." Such conditions could create treacherous currents and dangerous swimming conditions at north facing beaches.
