Honolulu is waking up mostly clear and warm this Thursday, with the airport clocking in around 77°F and that familiar muggy trade-wind air already in place. Skies are expected to turn mostly sunny this afternoon, with a high near 86°F and only isolated rain showers popping up after noon.
Afternoon Winds Pick Up
East-northeast trade winds will ramp up through the day, with sustained speeds around 8 to 17 mph and gusts up to 24 mph in more exposed corridors. That will leave ridgelines and east-facing shores feeling especially blustery. According to the National Weather Service Honolulu, a Small Craft Advisory is in effect for Maalaea Bay, the Pailolo and Alenuihaha channels and nearby Big Island waters through 6 p.m. HST Friday, so small or open boats should stay moored or check with harbormasters. Drivers should plan a little extra time for commutes that cross wind-prone valleys or exposed coastal roads.
Out On The Water And Beaches
A small, long-period west-northwest swell is keeping west and north-facing shores on the choppy side today, though that swell is expected to fade tonight into the weekend. A reinforcing south-southwest pulse should arrive late Friday and build into the weekend, which could push south-facing surf higher by Sunday and early next week. Beachgoers should keep an eye on lifeguard postings and avoid turning their back to larger sets.
Tonight And The Weekend
Thursday night, scattered showers are possible after midnight with a low around 79°F. Trades stay locally breezy Friday through Sunday, with highs holding near 86°F, then ease a bit early next week. Windward and mauka neighborhoods are still the most likely to see spotty showers while leeward areas remain mostly dry.
More From Hoodline
We first flagged gusty trades and higher-tide concerns in an earlier post on Tuesday; for more on tide timing and nuisance flooding see muggy trades and sneaky tides. Stay tuned here for updates if advisories or marine conditions change.
