Honolulu wakes up to mostly clear skies this Wednesday, May 27, with a high near 83°F and east-northeast trade winds already gusting into the upper 20s. A few isolated morning showers could roll through, but most neighborhoods will trend toward sunny afternoons. Out on the water, a Small Craft Advisory runs through early Thursday, and a building south swell later this week is poised to turn south-facing shores rough as the weekend approaches.
Afternoon Winds and Boating
By this afternoon, east-northeast trades will be firmly in the breezy zone, blowing 15–21 mph with gusts topping out in the upper 20s. Exposed coastlines and ridgelines will feel especially windy. A Small Craft Advisory remains in effect for most coastal waters through 6 a.m. HST Thursday, so operators of small boats and kayaks should avoid exposed waters or proceed with extra caution. These conditions are outlined by the National Weather Service Honolulu.
Showers Through Friday
A weak low and its leading trough are set to pull more moisture over the islands Thursday into Friday, thickening cloud cover and increasing the coverage of showers. Most of the rain is expected overnight and along windward slopes, with light totals for much of the state and higher amounts focused over elevated terrain. Morning and late-evening commutes on Thursday and Friday could be damp, but forecasters are not calling for widespread flooding.
Surf Outlook
A small northwest swell already peaked for Kauai and Oahu, but attention now turns to a more robust, long-period south swell forecast to start filling in Thursday night. That swell will likely push south-facing surf above advisory levels into the weekend. Stronger shorebreak and punchier currents could show up during afternoon high tides, and lifeguards may post hazardous-condition signs on exposed beaches. We noted the same wind and surf pattern setting up in our prior coverage of gusty Memorial Day trades.
What To Expect
Trade winds should gradually ease into the weekend as the pressure gradient weakens, leading to drier afternoons and highs in the mid-80s by Saturday and Sunday, May 30–31. Mariners and beachgoers should keep tabs on changing conditions, follow lifeguard guidance, and check the latest marine and surf forecasts before heading out. Overnight, trade-wind showers will still be possible, but the broader setup points toward a return to typical late-May trade-wind weather by early June.
