Windy and cool weather is expected starting late tonight into Thursday as a cold front makes its way across the state.

The front could bring light to moderate showers, mostly to north-facing slopes, as it passes Kauai and Oahu overnight and Maui and Hawaii counties Wednesday. The weather system could stall near the Big Island and bring rain to windward areas through Friday.

Forecasters expect north winds to pick up after the front passes and issued a wind advisory for Lanai from 6 a.m. Wednesday to 6 a.m. Thursday. Winds of 5 t o 30 mph could gust to 50 mph.

Other islands can expect, cool, dry and gusty north to northeast winds with locally strong gusts downwind of higher terrain. The weather service advises people in these areas to secure loose outdoor objects. The winds are forecast to be between 15 to 25 mph, with gusts to 45 mph through Thursday.

Forecasters expect the winds to gradually weaken through the weekend.

Another front could approach the islands Monday, bringing light, variable winds, possible vog, and the chance of rain for the first half of the week.