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Wind and rain for Hawaiian Islands to ratchet up heading into weekend

Nina Wu

UPDATE: 4 p.m.

A high surf advisory has been issued for the north and west facing shores of isles from Niihau to Maui due to a large, northwest swell, in effect through 6 p.m. Friday.

The National Weather Service said large, breaking waves of 12 to 16 feet are expected along north shores, and 8 to 12 feet along west facing shores.

The advisory is for the north and west facing shores of the western isles, and north facing shores of Maui.

Officials warn of strong, breaking waves and rip currents, making swimming dangerous. The public should stay away from shorelines along affected shores, and heed all advice from ocean safety officials.

A wind advisory has also been issued for portions of Hawaii island, including the south, north and east sides, Kohala, and interior, through 6 a.m. Friday.

Northeast winds of 15 to 30 mph, with localized gusts up to 50 mph, are expected in these areas of the island, particularly where winds are enhanced by terrain, including Hilo, South Point and downslope areas of Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park.

Forecasters expect the winds to last through the night, and said the advisory may need to be extended beyond Friday morning, and expanded during the weekend.

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While today will remain breezy and relatively dry, forecasters expect a boost in winds and rain in the Hawaiian Islands on Friday and into the upcoming weekend.

The National Weather Service is expecting a combination of high pressure northeast of the state and an upper-level low to bring stronger trades — possibly requiring a high wind advisory — and heavy showers with a slight chance of thunderstorms, in the next day or so.

As the upper-level low moves overhead, forecasters expect “very cold temperatures aloft” to bring some brief, heavy showers, and possible thunderstorms to the isles and snow to Big Isle summits.

The freezing levels could drop low enough to affect Haleakala on Maui, as well.

Today’s forecast, meanwhile, includes some sunshine mixed with clouds and scattered showers, highs from 77 to 82 degrees Fahrenheit, and trades from 15 to 25 mph. Tonight’s lows range from 66 to 71 degrees.

A high surf advisory expired Wednesday evening, but surf along north and west shores is expected to once again reach advisory levels tonight through Friday as a new northwest swell builds, forecasters said.

Surf along north shores will be 6 to 10 feet this morning before rising 10 to 14 feet this afternoon, and to 14 to 20 feet tonight through Friday.

Surf along west shores will be 3 to 6 feet this morning, then build to 6 to 10 feet this afternoon, and to 10 to 15 feet tonight through Friday.

Surf along east shores will be 5 to 7 feet today, rising to 6 to 8 feet Friday. Surf along south shores will be 1 to 3 feet through Friday.

A small craft advisory for all Hawaiian coastal waters and channels— from northwest of Kauai to southeast of Hawaii island, remains in effect until 6 p.m. Sunday.

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