Strong tradewinds buffeting the islands are creating hazardous conditions on land and at sea.

With winds blowing from the east to northeast at 20 to 30 mph, and gusts up to 50 mph, the National Weather Service issued a gale warning and advisories for high surf, wind and small craft.

A gale warning is in effect through 6 a.m. Thursday for the Pailolo and Alenuihaha channels due to northeast winds of 29 to 40 mph and seas of 9 to 14 feet, weather officials said.

The small craft advisory is also in effect through 6 a.m. Thursday and affects the waters around all islands, except for the areas already covered by the gale warning. Forecasters expect the winds and seas in these areas to reach up to 35 mph and 12 feet, respectively.

A high surf advisory is in effect through 6 p.m. today for the south shores of all island and the east shores of all islands, except for Lanai and Niihau.

Surf along east shores could reach up to 6 to 10 feet, weather officials said.

The wind advisory covers the entire state except for the summits on Hawaii island and Haleakala on Maui.

The wind advisory is in effect until 10 p.m. today and affected areas could see sustained 30 mph winds from the northeast and east along with gusts near 50 mph, the Weather Service said.

The strong winds can cause tree limbs to break and power outages, while making driving difficult for high profile vehicles, the Weather Service said.

A strong high north of the state is causing the powerful trade winds that will last through mid-week.