textproduct: Honolulu

UPDATE

High Surf Advisory has been issued. Marine section updated. All other sections are from previous discussion.

SYNOPSIS

Light winds with land breezes can be expected through tonight. Winds will then become light southwesterly tomorrow as a cold front approaches from the northwest. The front should reach Niihau and Kauai Wednesday night, then stall near Maui Thursday night. Passing moderate showers may accompany this first front. Winds will turn light and northerly after the front passes then potentially turn southerly again Friday into this weekend. Another stronger front looks to approach this weekend, and heavy rain is possible as this front could have more upper level support.

MARINE

A ridge of high pressure north of Hawaii will erode from the west as a front approaches the state from the northwest. The front will enter the Kauai waters late Wednesday and move west to east across the state through Thursday and stall and dissipate around Maui County Thursday night. An increase of showers are expected along and ahead of the front with moderate northerly winds following behind it. Another front approaching from the northwest will generate moderate southerly winds this weekend with an increase of showers expected on Sunday.

Latest buoy readings from 51001 and 51101 are starting to run 1 to 2 feet above guidance as a new northwest swell (320 degree) moves through. Thus, issued a High Surf Advisory for select north and west facing shores. As this northwest swell slowly declines Wednesday night, a reinforcing swell from the north- northwest is expected on Thursday, keeping surf elevated. These swells will slowly decline late Thursday into the weekend. Another moderate, long period northwest swell (320 degree) should gradually fill in on Sunday and could produce surf near the advisory threshold by Sunday evening.

Small, choppy east shore surf will become minimal over the next few days as trades near and upstream become disrupted by approaching fronts. Expect minimal background surf for south facing shores, with a minor south-southwest pulse expected Wednesday afternoon into Thursday.

HFO WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES

High Surf Advisory until 6 PM HST Thursday for Niihau-Kauai Leeward-Waianae Coast-Oahu North Shore-Maui Windward West-Kauai North-Molokai Windward-Molokai North-Molokai West-Maui Central Valley North-Windward Haleakala.