Weekend forecast: Trades ramp up Saturday, more northwest swells on the way
Tradewinds return to moderate levels in the Hawaiian isles this afternoon, forecasters said, and should get a boost to breezy levels by Saturday, when another series of northwest swells begin to arrive.
The National Weather Service expects fairly typical trade wind weather to prevail through the weekend, with brief, passing showers for mostly the windward and mauka areas.
Today’s forecast is mostly sunny, with highs from 81 to 86 degrees Fahrenheit, and trades from 10 to 20 mph. Lows tonight range from 67 to 72, with trades strengthening to 15 to 20 mph.
By Saturday, the trades ramp up to 15 to 25 mph, but ease back into the light to moderate range of 10 to 15 mph by Sunday.
Although surf is expected to remain below advisory levels along all shores of Hawaii today, some gale force winds coming out of the North Pacific are expected to generate a series of northwest swells on Saturday.
These swells may lift surf to near-advisory levels for north and west facing shores on Sunday.
Surf along north facing shores at 4 to 6 today bumps up to 6 to 8 feet Saturday evening, while surf along west facing shores at 2 to 4 feet today bumps up to 3 to 5 feet Saturday evening.
Forecasters said to expect choppy surf along east facing shores due to strengthening trades. Surf along east facing shores at 2 to 4 feet today increases to 3 to 5 feet on Saturday.
Surf remains at 2 to 4 feet on south facing shores today and Saturday.
A small craft advisory has been issued due to east winds of 20 to 25 knots, with gusts up to 35 knots, for Maalaea Bay, Pailolo and Alenuihaha channels, and leeward and southeast Hawaii island waters, effective from 6 p.m. today to 6 p.m. Saturday.