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Trade showers to increase midweek as surf bumps up on north shores

Nina Wu

Moderate, easterly trades are expected to continue through the middle of the week, forecasters said, along with showers, which are expected to increase by then, mostly in the mauka and windward areas of the Hawaiian isles.

Some showers may be heavy, and a few thunderstorms may be possible over the next few days, particularly over Kauai and Oahu.

The National Weather Service also warns that “nuisance flooding,” or minor flooding that occurs at high tide, is expected to continue this week, and may result in coastal erosion, saltwater inundation of low-lying roads, docks, boat ramps and other infrastructure.

The water levels will begin to lower Friday through the weekend.

Today’s forecast is mostly sunny, with clouds and showers likely for windward Kauai and Oahu, and highs from 81 to 86 degrees Fahrenheit. Tonight is expected to be partly cloudy, with lows between 69 to 74.

Trades will hover at around 15 mph through tonight before ramping up Wednesday to 10 to 20 mph.

On the surf front, officials said a sharp rise in surf is expected along north facing shores, from 3 to 5 feet this morning to 5 to 7 feet this afternoon due to a new, short-period north swell.

A slightly larger, long-period northwest should fill in on Thursday and peak around Thursday night, near or just below season averages., officials said, with a larger on possible on Sunday.

Surf on west-facing shores at 1 to 3 feet this morning rises to 3 to 5 feet this afternoon through Wednesday.

On south-facing shores, surf lowers from 1 to 3 feet this morning to 0 to 2 feet through Wednesday evening.

Surf on east-facing shores remains steady at 2 to 4 feet today and Wednesday, but may become rough and choppy due to an increase in trades the latter half of this week, and will likely reach advisory thresholds sometime this weekend.

No new records were set last weekend, but webcams indicated there was a light dusting of snow at the summits of Mauna Kea and Mauna Loa on Sunday morning.

Trades are expected to ramp up again heading into the weekend as a high-pressure system builds to the north.

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