Honolulu wakes up Thursday, June 25, to breezy east-northeast trade winds and partly cloudy skies, with the high topping out near 86°F and a muggy low hovering around 75°F tonight. Scattered, mostly light showers favor windward neighborhoods and the higher slopes, mainly overnight and in the early morning. Through the weekend, moderate to breezy trades keep east-facing shores choppy and leave room for brief pop-up downpours during commute hours.
Afternoon Winds Pick Up
East-northeast winds will generally run 13 to 18 mph during the day Thursday, with gusts near 25 mph and the potential for stronger gusts later in the week. The punch will be felt most on exposed ridgelines, coastal lookout points and along windward streets. Light outdoor items should be tied down or brought in, and anyone relying on a flimsy umbrella may be in for a rough go.
Showers Favor Windward Slopes
Showers concentrate on windward and mauka areas, with most of the action late at night and in the early morning while afternoons trend partly sunny and mostly dry. New rainfall amounts are expected to be small, generally less than a tenth of an inch, although isolated heavier pockets can still bubble up over the hills. If your drive takes you across the Koʻolau slopes, giving yourself a little extra time for potentially damp roads is not a bad idea.
Boaters And Beachgoers
A Small Craft Advisory is in effect through 6 p.m. HST Friday for Maalaea Bay, the Pailolo and Alenuihaha Channels and several Big Island nearshore waters, and it may be extended into the weekend, so small-boat operators should favor more sheltered harbors. A long-period south swell peaks today with head-high to overhead surf at exposed south shores, then eases Friday and Saturday before another pulse builds in on Sunday. Surf along east-facing shores stays on the choppy side as trades persist, according to NWS Honolulu.
Looking Ahead
Forecasters expect increasing moisture by early next week, with dew points potentially climbing above 70°F by Monday, which would bump up the odds for heavier showers into mid-week. Hoodline tracked the developing trade-wind pattern earlier this month; see our coverage on trade winds cranking up for the weekend for background on recent advisories and surf trends.
Quick Tips
Grab a light rain jacket for early-morning errands and secure loose patio furniture before those gusty afternoons get going. Boaters should check the latest marine products and harbor conditions before heading out.
