Updated information on timing and severity of three dangerous weather elements generated by a large Pacific storm to our north:
- STRONG WINDS — Gusty southwest winds should peak in strength (gusts up to 60 mph) between midnight and 6 am Friday on Kauai, 6 am to noon Friday on O`ahu, and noon to 6 pm Friday for Moloka`i. These three island should see the worst of the winds, primarily in higher terrain and areas downslope of mountains, such as the north and east shore of Kaua`i, Windward O`ahu and East Moloka`i. High winds will also whip through the other islands, but with less severity (gusts to 50 mph). Lana`i and Maui should see winds peak Friday night, followed by the Big Island early Saturday morning. The strongest winds are expected on the high summits on Maui and the Big Island and should persist throughout much of Friday. Winds should ease and shift to the northwest as the cold front passes.
- HEAVY RAIN — A cold front passage is also expected to bring some rain, possibly heavy at times. Expect a few hours of steady rain, heavy at times, but with this front on the move and conditions not extremely unstable… don’t expect any excessive rainfall totals or major flooding. However, be prepared for minor flood problems, mainly Friday morning on Kaua`i, Friday afternoon on O`ahu, Friday night for Maui County and Saturday morning for the Big Island.
- HIGH SURF — The storm has sent us a pair of large west-northwest swells. The first swell resulted in sets as high as 35 feet in face on selected outer reefs along the north shore of Kaua`i and O`ahu. This swell should drop through Friday… that’s when a second swell should start building. It should peak Friday night into Saturday morning at heights 5 to 10 feet lower than the first swell.
With this triple threat, you can imagine… there are many warnings, watches and advisories in effect. Here they are:
- HIGH WIND WARNING until 6 pm Friday for Kaua`i, O`ahu and Moloka`i
- HIGH WIND WARNING until midnight Saturday for the summits of Mauna Kea, Mauna Loa and Haleakala
- WIND ADVISORY until midnight Saturday for Maui and Lana`i
- HIGH SURF WARNING until 6 am Saturday for north and west shores of Kaua`i, O`ahu, Moloka`i and Maui, along with the west shore of the Big Island
- HIGH SURF ADVISORY until 6 am Saturday for the west shore of Lana`i and the north shore of the Big Island
- SMALL CRAFT ADVISORY until 6 pm Sunday for all Hawaiian waters because of the large west-northwest swells and strong southwest winds
Several closures on Friday. For a full list check KITV.com.
Hang on folks… a fairly dry and chilly weekend is ahead!
Justin
