textproduct: Honolulu

SYNOPSIS

A drier and more stable trade wind pattern is expected into at least the middle of next week. Showers should be mostly focused along windward and mauka locations through the period. Nights will be cool in sheltered areas this weekend.

SHORT TERM UPDATE

Issued at 830 AM HST Thu Mar 26 2026

Visible satellite imagery shows a low level band of scattered clouds with embedded showers just north of Kauai this morning. Latest high resolution model guidance shows this band moving over Kauai later this afternoon and Oahu and Maui County this evening into early Friday morning. A weak front marked by a band of shallow clouds with embedded showers is expected to arrive Friday night and will push through the state into Saturday with and area of moisture lingering around windward Big Island through the day Saturday. Given the dry stable atmosphere, showers are expected to be light to moderate at most and be confined mainly to windward and mauka areas as breezy northeasterly winds hold through Friday before strengthening to windy speeds Saturday into Sunday. The near term precipitation forecast has been updated to include this slight increase in precipitation for this evening and again Friday night into Saturday. The probability of precipitation has been lowered Sunday given the drier air following the weak front which will lower dewpoints into mid to upper 50's state wide.

PREV DISCUSSION

Light trade wind showers were detected by radar this morning along windward and mauka areas. Satellite shows typical clouds expected for a trade wind pattern. Winds will continue to ease today before picking back up slightly through the weekend as a weak front moves through. This front will bring another shot of dry air to the region. Lowering dewpoints through Monday should allow for cool nights in most areas. Another plus from the dry air will be enhanced evaporation, helping to eliminate standing water from the recent flooding and perhaps aid in cleanup.

AVIATION

Mostly dry and stable conditions with moderate northeast trade winds will prevail across the island chain over the next 24 h. Brief periods with MVFR CIGS/VSBYS are possible in passing showers, mainly for windward sites.

MARINE

A low pressure system northeast of the islands and a high pressure system to the far northwest of the Hawaii region will keep northeasterly trade winds in the forecast through the week. Wind speeds will briefly ease through Friday, and the Small Craft Advisory was cancelled this morning. Fresh to strong trade winds bring a return of SCA conditions from Saturday into the first half of next week as high pressure builds north of the state.

A medium period swell will peak around 3 feet today before gradually declining through the weekend. For east facing shores, short period wind wave energy from northeasterly trade winds will hold into the weekend. Strengthening northeasterly winds this weekend and a swath of gales associated with a low around one thousand miles northeast of the islands will lead to the potential for high surf advisories along north and east facing shores from Sunday into early next week.

For south facing shores, small background energy pulses will keep surf heights above flat conditions into early next week.

HFO WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES

None.