Honolulu started Friday with light rain, but the wet weather should give way to partly sunny skies and an afternoon high near 83 degrees. Trade winds are expected to ease Friday into Saturday, then strengthen again from Saturday afternoon through Sunday night, rather than building steadily all weekend. The National Weather Service’s latest Honolulu forecast discussion describes that wind trend.
Showers Fade Before Noon
Brief passing showers are possible Friday, mainly over windward and mountain areas and most often overnight or early in the morning; elsewhere, showers should be limited. Winds are expected to ease into Friday. Friday night could still bring brief showers, while mostly cloudy skies and a low in the lower 70s remain in the forecast. The National Weather Service’s latest discussion describes the shower focus and easing winds.
Weekend Winds Turn Up
Saturday should bring partly sunny skies and a high near 83, with winds easing into the day before strengthening again from Saturday afternoon. Sunday looks similar, with a high near 84 and stronger trades returning. The National Weather Service forecasts winds strengthening from Saturday afternoon through Sunday night.
The changing wind pattern may make exposed areas feel blustery even under sunny breaks, but the strongest trades are expected to return late Saturday and continue through Sunday night. Winds should ease significantly by mid- to late next week as the high-pressure pattern weakens. The National Weather Service’s Honolulu forecast discussion outlines that timing.
The wind pattern reflects a shifting high-pressure ridge north of the islands: as the ridge weakens, trades ease Friday into Saturday, then strengthen again from Saturday afternoon into Sunday night. Showers with this pattern are expected mainly on windward slopes and mountain areas, often overnight or early in the morning, rather than as steady rain across Honolulu. The National Weather Service’s Honolulu forecast discussion also identifies Monday into Tuesday as the next better chance for statewide rainfall as remnants of an old front move across the islands.
Beaches Stay Choppy As Surf Builds
East-facing shores will remain rough and choppy under the trade winds. The existing High Surf Advisory for north- and west-facing shores is scheduled to end at 6 a.m. Friday as the current northwest swell declines; a new north-northwest swell may bring a smaller bump Saturday, followed by a more significant north swell that could push surf back toward advisory levels Sunday. NWS surf guidance says moderate surf will decrease to small levels by Friday night before those later swells arrive.
The surf hazards vary by shoreline: trade winds keep east-facing beaches rough and choppy, while incoming northwest-to-north swells are the concern for north- and west-facing coasts. Moderate surf is forecast to decrease to small levels by Friday night, but forecasters say a larger north swell could bring surf back to advisory levels Sunday. NWS surf guidance warns that strong breaking waves and currents can make swimming dangerous when advisory-level surf occurs.
The National Weather Service lists Small Craft Advisories for specified Hawaiian coastal waters and channels, with some expiring at 6 p.m. Friday and others at 6 p.m. Saturday. Boaters should check for any later updates before heading out, while beachgoers should expect rough, choppy conditions on exposed shorelines. The latest NWS Honolulu advisory listing gives those expiration times.
Rain Chances Rise Again Monday Night
Monday is forecast to be mostly sunny with isolated showers and a high near 84, but rain chances could increase from Monday into Tuesday, bringing a better chance of statewide rainfall.
Showers remain possible through Wednesday and Thursday, although partly sunny skies and lighter winds are expected by the end of the week. Overnight lows should stay in the low to mid-70s across Honolulu.
