Trade winds leaving, but small south swell expected on July 4th

Expect a warm Fourth of July with the chance of afternoon cloudiness in Honolulu.

But the clouds should clear in the evening over Honolulu when the Independence Day Fireworks go off. Kailua may still see some cloudiness and the chance of the usual windward showers, forecasters say. Temperatures in Honolulu are expected to be between 80 and 85 degrees, dropping to 67 to 74 at night.

Surfers should also find some waves on south shores today. The forecast calls for a moderate swell to arrive today with 3-to-5-foot faces.

The remnants of what was once Hurricane Cosme has moved northeast of the islands and is expected to cut off the cooling trade winds, starting late today through the weekend. Light north winds are expected in the mornings, shifting to southerly sea breezes in the afternoon in Honolulu,and then resuming from the north in the evenings as the temperature cools.

Forecasts expect humid conditions, the possibility of vog, and the chance of afternoon showers in leeward and interior sections of the islands as sea breezes and afternoon heating generate potential rain clouds this weekend.

The trade winds should return early next week.