Record high temperature set in Lihue, but trade winds bring relief through Fourth of July weekend
The National Weather Service on Wednesday noted a record high of 89 degrees Fahrenheit in Lihue, Kauai, which had not been breached since 1958, when the record was 87.
The last time that Lihue reached 89 degrees in the month was 52 years ago on June 15, 1969. The other time that a high of 89 was reached in June in Lihue was in 1936.
Indeed, the last day of June was hot, confirmed NWS meteorologist Tina Stall, and may have felt hotter with highs in the upper 80s due to the accompanying humidity, but relief is on the way.
“This one seemed to be driven a lot by the trades shutting off for awhile,” said Stall. “So now that we have the trades back, we should get a little more mixing in there.”
Today’s forecast includes partly sunny skies, with highs from 85 to 90 degrees, accompanied by trades from 15 to 20 mph. The trades pick up to 15 to 25 mph tonight, when lows dip into the lower 70s.
Forecasters expect breezy, easterly trades to peak on Saturday, but continue through the Fourth of July weekend.
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The isles’ leeward sides are expected to remain mostly dry. Trades are expected to bring scattered clouds and showers for the windward side during nights and early mornings. Clouds and showers are also expected for the Kona slopes of Hawaii island during evenings.
Surf along south facing shores, meanwhile, will hold near the advisory level today at 5 to 7 feet, then lower to 3 to 5 feet Friday through the weekend.
A larger south swell is expected to arrive early next week, which should generate advisory- level surf along exposed south facing shores Monday through Wednesday.
Surf along east facing shores will trend up from 1 to 3 feet today to 2 to 4 feet Friday, and become rough over the weekend.
Surf along north shores is also expected to rise from 0 to 2 feet today to 2 to 4 feet Friday afternoon as a small, northwest swell arrives. Surf along west shores lowers from 3 to 5 feet today to 2 to 4 feet Friday.
A small craft advisory remains in effect for Maalaea Bay, Pailolo and Alenuihaha channels, and Hawaii island leeward and southeast waters, through 6 p.m. Friday.
