Tradewinds to strengthen this weekend, prompting small craft advisory
The moderate to breezy tradewinds today are expected to increase in Hawaii this weekend, forecasters said, with the strongest winds expected late Saturday through Sunday, possibly prompting a wind advisory for some areas.
The National Weather Service said today that the winds will increase due to a high pressure system to the north, and that clouds and showers will favor windward and mauka areas.
Today’s forecast includes clouds and showers over windward areas, with highs from 83 to 88 degrees. Clouds continue tonight, with lows from 70 to 75, according to the weather service.
Tradewinds at 10 to 25 mph today and tonight are expected to increase to 15 to 30 mph over the weekend.
Surf for all shores remains below advisory levels today, with the current, north-northwest swell gradually diminishing.
Surf on north shores remains at 6 to 8 feet, while surf on west shores remains at 3 to 5 feet today and Saturday.
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Another north-northwest swell, however, is expected to arrive this weekend and continue into early next week.
Surf on east shores rises from 2 to 4 feet today to 4 to 6 feet on Saturday due to strengthening tradewinds, and advisory-level surf is likely later in the weekend, forecasters said.
Surf on south shores remains at 1 to 3 feet today and Saturday.
A gale watch has been issued for Alenuihaha Channel due to east winds of 20 to 25 knots, and gusts up to 30 knots, effective from Saturday evening to Sunday afternoon. A small craft advisory remains in effect at Maalaea Bay, Pailolo and Alenuihaha Channels, leeward and southeast Hawaii island waters, effective until 6 p.m. Sunday, according to the weather service.