COURTESY CENTRAL PACIFIC HURRICANE CENTER
The forecast map of Post-Tropical Cyclone Fausto as of 5 a.m. today.
Tropical Storm Fausto has weakened into a post-tropical remnant low as it continues passing north of Hawaii, but forecasters say dangerous surf and strong currents will persist along east-facing shores through today.
As of 5 a.m., the center of Post-Tropical Cyclone Fausto was about 285 miles north of Hilo and 225 miles northeast of Honolulu. The system was moving west-northwest at 13 mph with maximum sustained winds of 35 mph, according to the Central Pacific Hurricane Center.
Weather officials said Fausto is expected to continue weakening as it moves away from the islands and is forecast to dissipate into a trough by Friday.
Although Fausto no longer poses a tropical cyclone threat to Hawaii, forecasters said surf generated by its remnants will continue producing hazardous ocean conditions today.
The National Weather Service downgraded the high surf warning to a high surf advisory after surf fell below warning criteria overnight. The advisory remains in effect until 6 p.m. today for east-facing shores of Kauai, Oahu, Molokai, Maui and parts of Hawaii island.
Surf is expected to range from 8 to 12 feet this morning before quickly falling below advisory levels this afternoon.
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“Strong breaking waves and strong currents will make swimming dangerous,” the NWS said, urging beachgoers to follow advice from ocean safety officials.
With Fausto weakening north of the state, weather conditions across Hawaii are also expected to gradually improve.
Forecasters said light winds and muggy conditions will continue today as the remnants pass north of the islands, allowing sea breezes to develop and produce interior clouds and scattered afternoon showers. While the overall flood threat remains low, localized heavy showers remain possible.
Radar early this morning showed isolated windward showers over Oahu and Molokai with little rainfall elsewhere.
By tonight, moderate east-to-southeast tradewinds are expected to return from the east as Fausto moves farther away. A stronger area of high pressure developing northeast of Hawaii is forecast to bring breezy to locally strong tradewinds beginning Thursday and continuing into next week.
The return of a more typical tradewind pattern will focus showers over windward and mauka communities while drier air lowers humidity by Friday.
Forecasters also said east shore surf is expected to increase Friday again into the weekend as strengthening tradewinds combine with a new long-period east swell generated by Hurricane Genevieve in the eastern Pacific.