Honolulu will see a shift from sea breezes to trade winds this week, with a high upper-level ridge keeping conditions mostly stable. The strengthening trade winds midweek are expected to help clear New Year’s Eve firework smoke, though a weak frontal band may bring isolated showers Friday night, according to the National Weather Service.
A stalled frontal remnant northwest of Kauai poses little precipitation risk, while moderate to breezy trade wind conditions will dominate the islands. Pilots should expect mostly VFR flying, with brief MVFR conditions possible near east and southeast slopes and some leeward areas, though no AIRMETs are currently in effect, as reported by the National Weather Service.
East to southeast winds are picking up in Hawaii today. A northwest swell over 12 feet is causing a High Surf Advisory for north and west facing shores of Niihau, Kauai, Oahu, Molokai, and north facing shores of Maui until 6 AM HST on Wednesday, with seas around 10 feet. South facing shores will have minimal surf. The swell will decrease by the end of the week, while choppy east shore surf may increase as trade winds return, bringing some showers before cooler, drier air moves in, as stated by the National Weather Service.
