Honolulu woke up Tuesday to mostly clear skies, a comfortable 72°F, and easing trade winds, with inland highs near 85°F expected by afternoon. The calm vibe at sunrise, however, masks a more dramatic setup along the shoreline: king tides are lining up with a long‑period south‑southwest swell, boosting the risk of wave runup and nuisance coastal flooding during the late‑afternoon high tides.
Afternoon Surf And Tides
The National Weather Service in Honolulu has a High Surf Advisory up for all south‑facing shores through 6 AM HST Wednesday, along with a Coastal Flood Statement for those late‑afternoon high tides, according to NWS Honolulu. South shores could see surf building to around 10–14 feet, with wave runup pushing water onto normally dry beaches and low‑lying coastal roadways. For more on how this swell and the king tides stacked up, see why the surf and tides have Honolulu on alert.
Rain, Wind And Temperatures
Isolated showers remain in the cards before noon, with rain chances around 20%, but conditions should turn mostly sunny by afternoon with a high near 85°F. East‑northeast winds will occasionally gust to about 20 mph, keeping the ocean on the rough side and shorelines breezy. Overnight lows will stay on the warm side in the mid‑70s.
Safety And Travel
Look for intermittent overwash and nuisance flooding around the daily peak tide along south shores and parts of the west side, where low‑lying coastal roads, docks, and boat ramps are most exposed. Drivers are urged to avoid standing salt water on roadways, move vehicles and valuables to higher ground when possible, and follow the guidance of ocean‑safety officials. Channel entrances and harbor ramps may experience dangerous surges, so if you were planning a casual trip on the water, it is safer to postpone any non‑essential outings until conditions settle down.
Looking Ahead
Another south‑southwest swell is expected to move in Wednesday night into Thursday, which could nudge south‑shore surf back up to advisory levels before trades reestablish heading into the weekend. Keep an eye on updated forecasts and local ocean‑safety channels through midweek in case conditions shift.
