Honolulu woke Monday to partly cloudy skies and a mild 78 degrees, but the bigger story is the wind. Scattered showers may pass through parts of Oahu, while breezy east-northeast trades build through the week and could become downright gusty Thursday and Friday as Tropical Storm Lowell passes south of the islands.
Mostly Sunny Monday With Passing Showers
Monday's high should reach 86 degrees, with a 40% chance of scattered showers and east-northeast winds of 15 to 20 mph. Tuesday and Wednesday stay similarly warm, topping out around 87 degrees, with sunny breaks between showers and gusts reaching 25 to 28 mph.
Wind Threat Peaks Thursday And Friday
The National Weather Service in Honolulu says Lowell is expected to pass a little more than 300 miles south of the Big Island Wednesday night into Thursday, though the storm's exact track remains uncertain. The local forecast calls for east-northeast winds near 24 mph Thursday, with gusts up to 35 mph, followed by Friday winds around 25 mph and gusts as high as 36 mph; stronger gusts over 50 mph are possible in select areas, according to the National Weather Service.
For Honolulu residents, that could mean a rougher ride for cyclists and motorcyclists, unsecured outdoor items becoming a nuisance, and choppier conditions along east-facing shores. Rain chances rise to 50% Friday, although the heaviest moisture is expected to stay south of the state while outer rain bands may still bring passing showers.
Weekend Forecast Remains Unsettled
Saturday and Sunday remain warm, with highs near 86 to 87 degrees and scattered showers possible, but confidence drops over Labor Day weekend. The storm outlook has sharpened since Hoodline's earlier update, with forecasters now also watching Hurricane Karina for a possible approach to the islands later in the weekend.
Surf And Small-Craft Conditions Turn Rougher
A moderate south swell is expected to build surf toward advisory levels Wednesday, while trade-wind swell keeps east-facing shores elevated through the week. A small-craft advisory remains in effect through 6 p.m. Tuesday for select waters, including Pailolo Channel and Maalaea Bay, according to the Honolulu forecast discussion.
