Honolulu meteorologists are forecasting a slight dip in trade wind speeds for the Hawaii region this coming Sunday and Monday as a cold front begins to stall northwest of the islands. According to the National Weather Service - Honolulu, the weather scenario will see the high pressure ridge weaken, only to be followed by a resurgence in speeds starting Tuesday.
The balmy Hawaiian climate is going to remain largely unchanged through tonight, but islanders should be prepared for "brief periods of showers for windward and mountain areas of most islands," particularly during the early hours. The National Weather Service notes that after a brief lull, trade winds are slated to pick up once again, potentially reaching breezy levels from Tuesday through Wednesday, with showers expected to increase as well. A spell of fluctuating weather to quite literally blow over, the winds are anticipated to ease off before strengthening.
For aviation, this translates to continued breezy trades that will likely keep certain areas under the threat of low clouds and showers. The majority of flight zones, nonetheless, will experience visual flight rules conditions, with the exception of mountain rain showers. An AIRMET Tango is in place for moderate turbulence below 7,000 feet across all islands, which is expected to stay for a few days.
Sailors and seafarers face a similar mix of conditions with the persistent easterly trade winds set to stay fresh to strong into Sunday. A Small Craft Advisory has been extended until early Sunday for Maui County Windward Waters and until Sunday evening for various channels and waters around Maui and the Big Island. The marine forecast widens from Tuesday through midweek when the trades are predicted to intensify once more.
Beachgoers can expect surf conditions along south-facing shores to taper off after today as the current swell begins to subside. The good news for surf enthusiasts is that a new long-period south-southwest swell is due by Sunday night, peaking into Monday, which should provide ample surf. Look for these conditions to slowly mellow out heading into the latter half of the week.
In summary, the island state is gearing up for a few days of inconsistent trade winds and variable showers, particularly focused along windward and mountain regions. Mariners in select waters will need to navigate cautiously under the continued advisories, while aviators should brace for turbulence at lower altitudes. As always, the surf report brings a silver lining for those in search of waves.
