In what's shaping up to be a classic Hawaiian weather weekend, the National Weather Service in Honolulu has issued an updated forecast that could impact everything from your beach plans to your airline flight. According to the latest report, the Aloha State should prepare for an incoming front from the northwest, promising to shake things up a bit with its light winds today, followed by increased rainfall and windy conditions stretching from this weekend into next week.
Honolulu residents and tourists alike might enjoy the brief calm before the proverbial storm, as sea breezes are predicted to kick up capturing that postcard-perfect picture of island life. However, not all is serene in paradise, with the forecast indicating "light winds are expected across the state today" and "limited shower activity over leeward and interior areas," as noted by the NWS. But don't let those light showers fool you – things are gearing up for a more dramatic change by the weekend, heralding in a wetter spell.
As per the NWS, the islands are looking at a weather double whammy: "The front will move north to south across the islands chain this weekend into early next week," and then "breezy to windy trades will follow the front, persisting through much of next week." For anyone heading out on the water or into the skies, clarity is equally crucial aloft and on the waves with the front expected to stir up conditions, potentially leading to advisories for "fresh to locally strong north northeast trades" behind the front.
Mariners aren't the only ones who need to be vigilant. The swells are set to keep surfers on their toes, too. With a "large, short to medium period, northerly swell" hitting the north facing shores later this weekend, High Surf Advisory warnings are likely to make an appearance. And it's not just the surfers who should take heed, anyone with plans on or near the water might encounter "minor flooding along the shoreline and in low-lying coastal areas for the next several mornings," as stated by the NWS.
In terms of fire risks, the current conditions seem to be holding them at bay, but as the "trades are forecast to return and become breezy to windy throughout the week next week," caution will be key. Whilst "critical fire weather concerns are not expected" for the immediate future, thanks to the approaching moisture, it's a situation that requires vigilance, as reported by the NWS.
