Stiff tradewinds prompt extension of wind, surf advisories for most islands

Strong tradewinds gusting over 50 mph have prompted the extension of a wind advisory and a public safety power shutoff watch today as high surf reaching 12 feet batters east shores.

A wind advisory remains in effect until 6 p.m. today for portions of Oahu, Maui, Molokai, Lanai, Kahoolawe and Hawaii island. Tradewinds are expected between 20 and 30 mph with powerful gusts that “can tear off shingles, knock down tree branches, blow away tents and awnings,” according to the National Weather Service.

Hawaiian Electric is maintaining a public safety power shutoff watch today for West Maui and the North and South Kohala areas of Hawaii island. With the wind advisory in effect through this evening, crews are monitoring hazardous conditions and low humidity that may require proactive power disconnections within the next 12 to 24 hours.

The utility’s criteria for a shutoff require persistent drought, wind gusts of at least 45 mph and relative humidity below 45% to occur concurrently. Utility officials are analyzing data from weather stations and cameras near infrastructure, noting that “wind gusts can be stronger in higher elevations than in residential areas.”

HECO urged customers in high-risk communities to initiate emergency plans and prepare for the possibility of extended outages. If conditions suddenly become hazardous, “we may have to shut off power with little or no notice,” the utility said in a post on X.

Away from land, a high surf advisory for the east shores of Kauai, Oahu, Molokai, Maui and Hawaii island has been extended until 6 p.m. Thursday. Surf is expected to range from 8 to 12 feet, creating strong breaking waves and currents that make swimming dangerous.

A gale warning is also active until 6 p.m. today for Maalaea Bay and the Pailolo and Alenuihaha channels. Mariners are cautioned that “strong winds will cause hazardous seas which could capsize or damage vessels.”

Today will be mostly sunny but very windy with tradewinds from 20 to 35 mph and gusts above 50 mph. Isolated leeward showers are expected, alongside scattered showers for windward and mauka areas, with lows overnight of 64 to 70 degrees. Moderate vog will also affect leeward Hawaii island throughout the day, according to the UH Manoa Vog Measurement and Prediction project.

Thursday is forecast to be mostly cloudy and windy with tradewinds at 15 to 30 mph. Scattered showers will persist over windward and mauka regions through the day, with overnight lows between 66 and 71 degrees.

Friday will bring cloudy and breezy conditions with tradewinds at 15 to 25 mph. Increasing showers are expected for windward and mauka areas, while leeward spots are expected to see scattered rain with overnight lows between 65 and 70 degrees.

Saturday is expected to be mostly cloudy as tradewinds ease slightly to 15 to 20 mph. Showers are forecast to soak windward and mauka areas during the day and become more frequent at night with overnight lows between 64 and 69 degrees.