Winds, surf advisories extended, but expected to diminish for weekend
A wind advisory for Maui and Hawaii island has been extended to this evening, while a surf advisory for eastern shores has been extended through Saturday morning.
The National Weather Service has extended the wind advisory from Thursday evening to 6 p.m. today, as strong and gusty winds continue over parts of Maui and Hawaii island, including Lahaina, Kaanapali, Kahului, Hilo, Volcano and Waikoloa.
Northeast to east winds of 20 to 30 mph, with localized gusts over 50 mph, are expected to continue today, especially later this morning through the afternoon.
High surf is also expected to continue for east shores, with large, breaking waves of 6 to 9 feet, weather officials said, through 6 a.m. Saturday.
The tradewinds will continue to produce rough, elevated surf along east shores, but should slowly subside as they begin to weaken on Saturday.
Today’s forecast is mostly cloudy, with scattered showers and highs from the mid- to high 80s. Tonight will also be partly cloudy, with lows from the low- to mid-70s, according to the weather service.
Tradewind of 15 to 30 mph, with higher gusts, are expected to continue today, and lower slightly to 15 to 25 mph tonight.
Surf on east shores is expected to lower from advisory levels of 6 to 9 feet today to 5 to 7 feet on Saturday.
Surf on west shores is expected to rise from 2 to 5 feet this morning to 3 to 5 feet this afternoon and Saturday due to a smallnorthwest swell making its way across the state, forecasters said. Surf on north shores, meanwhile, is expected to remain at 5 to 7 feet today and Saturday.
Surf on south shores at 1 to 3 feet today bumps up slightly to 2 to 4 feet on Saturday due to a small, southwest swell.
A small craft advisory remains in place for the Kaiwi Channel through 6 p.m. today, due to east winds of 20 to 25 knots.
Forecasters expect the winds to trend down over the weekend, particularly on Sunday.
Light to moderate showers are expected to continue through Saturday, especially overnight and early mornings, as pockets of moisture move through the state.
Much-needed rain has fallen across the eastern end of the state over the past few days, weather officials said, with some accumulations on Hawaii island reaching 4 to 7 inches.