Thursday, May 28, starts off gray in Honolulu, with warm, breezy trades already pushing hit-or-miss showers into windward and mauka neighborhoods. The forecast calls for a high near 83°F this afternoon and an overnight low around 72°F. East-northeast winds should blow steadily around 14–18 mph, with gusts into the mid-20s, so exposed shorelines will feel extra blustery. If you are heading outside, a light layer for the wind and something quick-drying for passing showers will serve you well.
Afternoon Winds Pick Up
As the day heats up, the trades will keep most of the wet weather anchored over the island’s windward slopes, while leeward areas trend sunnier and noticeably hotter. Highs are expected to top out near 83°F, with isolated to scattered showers still in play through the afternoon. A few brief downpours could cut visibility on the roads. For background on the pattern and recent gusts, see our earlier coverage on the recent trade wind pounding. Drivers on exposed routes should be ready for sudden gusts and slick spots when those showers roll through.
Boating And Surf
A Small Craft Advisory is posted through 6 a.m. HST Friday, May 29, 2026, for several channels and nearshore waters, including Maalaea Bay, the Pailolo Channel, the Alenuihaha Channel and portions of Big Island coastal waters. Small-boat operators should steer clear of the most exposed seas or proceed with plenty of caution. A long-period south swell is expected to begin filling in Thursday night and will likely push south-facing surf above advisory levels Friday into the weekend, which means bigger shorebreak and a higher risk of rip currents. Forecasters recommend checking updated watches and warnings from the National Weather Service in Honolulu before heading out. Smaller boats and kayaks should secure loose gear and think about postponing open-water trips until conditions settle down.
Weekend Outlook
Late in the week, the trade wind gradient is expected to relax as a weak upper-level trough moves through, allowing winds to ease and bringing back drier afternoons for the weekend. Daytime highs on Saturday and Sunday should land in the mid-80s, with only isolated overnight showers mainly over windward areas. Elevated south-facing surf may hang around into early next week, though, so beachgoers will want to pay attention to lifeguard postings during afternoon high tides and treat the stronger shorebreak with extra caution. If you have water plans, keep an eye on the overnight forecasts, since changing swells and winds could tweak conditions in a hurry.
