Honolulu wakes up Wednesday under mostly cloudy skies and a warm 78°F, with the east-northeast trades already starting to flex. Afternoon highs should hit around 85°F, and windward and mauka spots can expect those classic quick-hit showers that briefly cut visibility, splash low-lying puddles across roads and sidewalks, and then move on just as fast. Small boats and south-shore beachgoers will want to keep tabs on the forecast as winds and surf are on track to increase later in the week.
Afternoon Winds Pick Up
Today’s east-northeast trades will run about 8–16 mph with gusts up to roughly 22 mph, then notch up to around 10–18 mph with gusts into the mid-20s by Thursday and Friday. A strengthening high to the north keeps showers on the lighter side but more frequent over windward slopes, and a Small Craft Advisory stays in effect through Thursday morning for the usual windy trouble spots: Alenuihaha Channel, Maalaea Bay, Pailolo Channel, and nearby Big Island waters. Long-period south-southeast swell energy is expected to nudge south-shore surf toward advisory levels later in the week, according to the National Weather Service Honolulu.
Tropical Watch
Forecasters are also keeping an eye on Tropical Cyclone Fausto well to the east. Current model guidance keeps its center generally north of the islands early next week, but any real impacts will hinge on the storm’s exact track and strength. If you have travel or coastal plans next week, stay plugged into updates from the National Hurricane Center.
Plan Ahead
For now, a light rain jacket or umbrella is not a bad call, and giving yourself a little extra commute time could save some stress when those brief downpours cut visibility and leave street ponding in the usual low spots. If you’re boating or heading for the beach, check the latest marine forecast and surf advisories before you go, and small-craft operators should think hard about rescheduling trips during advisory periods.
