Vog, humidity, afternoon showers likely for weekend

The breezy tradewinds of the last few days are gradually leaving and turning southeasterly. That will likely mean a return of volcanic haze, muggy weather and the potential for afternoon showers in leeward areas this weekend.

Robert Ballard, a meteorologist with the Honolulu office of the National Weather Service, said some afternoon cloudiness may develop and a few showers may fall over Oahu this afternoon.

“There are still some trades out there now (this afternoon), but they are weakening,” Ballard said.

But the clouds and showers are more likely in leeward areas Friday through Sunday.

There’s a chance some of the showers could be locally heavy.

As the northeast tradewinds fade, southeasterly winds could blow volcanic haze over Oahu and Kauai as early as Friday. But the vog will be heaviest Saturday and Sunday, Ballard said.

The Kona winds will also bring warm, muggy weather.

Tradewinds should return Sunday night or Monday morning.

The forecast for Honolulu and south shores of Oahu calls for a 40 to 70 percent chance of rain Friday night through early next week. Skies could be cloudy on Friday and Saturday with a chance of shower in the afternoon and early evening. Sunday could see sunny skies in the morning turning cloudy by afternoon.

Kahului set a rainfall record for the date on Wednesday with .22 inches falling at the airport. The previous record for the Maui airport was .17 inches set in 2013.

Forecasters say an old cold front is still lingering over Hawaii island, bringing some showers to windward areas. The moisture from the front could move back over Maui this weekend as winds turn southeasterly.