Forecasters warn of coastal flooding as more showers approach Hawaii

Weather officials have once again warned of coastal flooding around the Hawaiian Islands due to a combination of high tides and higher than predicted ocean water levels.

The National Weather Service this morning issued a special weather statement saying that “nuisance coastal flooding” is expected over the next few days, particularly during high tides in the early morning hours. This flooding may cause some minor coastal erosion and saltwater inundation of vulnerable, low-lying roads, docks, boat ramps and other infrastructure.

Today’s forecast, meanwhile, includes mostly cloudy skies, showers, and isolated thunderstorms and heavy showers possible for Kauai County this afternoon due to an upper trough deepening over the western isles.

Highs range from 80 to 85 degrees Fahrenheit today and drop to 68 to 73 tonight. Trades remain at 10 to 20 mph through tonight before ramping up to “locally windy” by Friday.

Forecasters said more showers are expected statewide from Wednesday onward, including possible isolated thunderstorms and heavy rains for Maui and Hawaii island Wednesday through Thursday night as this trough drifts eastward.

Colder temperatures are also expected over Big Island summits, bringing periods of clouds and “patchy freezing fog” from tonight through Wednesday morning, and possibly 1 to 2 inches of snowfall from Wednesday through early Friday.

Surf is expected to trend up to 10 to 14 feet along north and west facing shores today as a new north-northwest swell arrives before easing to 6 to 8 feet Wednesday.

Surf along west facing shores is expected to reach 7 to 10 feet today, then lower to 4 to 6 feet Wednesday.

Surf along east facing shores rises from 2 to 4 feet today to 3 to 5 feet Wednesday, and will steadily trend up each day through midweek, then potentially exceed the advisory threshold Friday through the weekend as trades strengthen.

Surf along south facing shores remains at 1 to 3 feet today through Wednesday.

Another record high temperature of 89 degrees was set at Kahului on Monday, beating the previous record of 88 set for that day in 2019. It was the third record high temperature recorded for Kahului so far this month, in addition to several record high matches.

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration National Centers for Environmental Information said the 11-month period from January to November of this year was the second-warmest such period for the globe.

A small craft advisory also remains in effect for leeward and southeast waters of Hawaii island, Alenuihaha and Pailolo channels and Maalaea Bay, due to east winds of 25 knots, effective through 6 p.m. today.