Honolulu Trade Winds Howl Back as Weekend Showers, Rough Surf Roll In

Honolulu is waking Thursday, August 27, to partly cloudy skies before a warm afternoon near 86 degrees. A few quick showers may pass before noon, while east-northeast winds build through the day and could gust to 29 mph.

Afternoon Winds Become The Main Story

Isolated morning showers have about a 20% chance of developing, but the forecast turns mostly sunny for the afternoon. The National Weather Service Honolulu office expects temperatures to peak near 86 degrees, with winds running 14 to 21 mph.

Those trades will make it feel breezy around exposed roads, higher terrain and lee-side valleys. Thursday night stays partly cloudy with isolated showers, a low around 76 degrees and gusts up to 28 mph, according to the National Weather Service.

The latest outlook keeps the stronger trade-wind pattern in place into early next week, making this more than a one-day bluster. An earlier Hoodline forecast flagged breezy conditions and weekend showers, while the newest update adds a longer stretch of gusty winds and slightly wetter prospects.

Sunny Friday, More Showers By Saturday

Friday should be the brightest day of the near-term forecast, with sunny skies and another high near 86 degrees. East-northeast winds will run 14 to 22 mph, with gusts reaching 31 mph.

Saturday brings scattered showers, although skies should remain mostly sunny between passing bursts. The rain chance rises to about 30%, while winds reach around 22 mph with gusts as high as 31 mph.

Sunday and Monday continue the unsettled trade-wind pattern, with scattered showers, mostly sunny breaks and highs near 86 degrees. Tuesday may edge warmer, reaching about 87 degrees, but still carries a 40% chance of scattered showers.

Rougher East Shores And A Building South Swell

Beach conditions will vary by shoreline. East-facing beaches should stay rough and choppy under persistent trade-wind swell, while a small south-southwest swell is expected to lift surf along south-facing shores above seasonal averages through Friday, the National Weather Service said.

Boaters should also note that a Small Craft Advisory remains in effect through 6 a.m. Friday for several typically windier waters around Maui County and the Big Island. Honolulu’s forecast remains focused on breezy land conditions, brief showers and dry stretches between them.

Dry Weather Keeps Fire Concerns Elevated

Despite the passing showers, the broader pattern remains fairly dry, and moderate to locally breezy trades are expected to keep fire-weather concerns at a moderate level through the weekend. Most rainfall in Honolulu should be light, but residents heading outdoors should secure loose items and use extra caution with open flames during the gustiest periods.