Marine Weather and Tide Forecast for Kahului, HI

DISCUSSION
An influx of moisture associated with a low level and mid level trough is passing through the region this morning, providing a decent amount of showers to the islands. 6 hour rainfall totals across windward and mountain areas are several tenths of an inch to an inch. As this moisture moves through today, conditions should dry out a little, but not enough rule out showers completely. There will still be periodic pockets of moisture moving through and boosting showers followed by drier pockets through the weekend.

Trade winds look to continue through next week, with models indicating another influx of moisture possibly arriving by the middle of next week. There are some differences in model solutions regarding trade wind speeds due to the forecasted strength and position of the high pressure to the north.

AVIATION

Moderate to locally breezy trades expected through the rest of the week. A trough moving through the island chain is causing low cigs and SHRA with MVFR conds. Conds should improve east to west as the trough moves through.

AIRMET Sierra is in effect for mtn obsc for windward portions of of all islands. Conds should improve east to west.

While AIRMET Tango is not in effect at this time it is possible as the winds increase today it may be needed for mod turb downwind of island terrain.

MARINE
The combination of a low level trough passing west of the Hawaiian Islands today and an upper level disturbance will continue to enhance rain shower activity for all coastal and offshore waters. The subtropical ridge to the north will continue to strengthen, increasing trade wind speeds into the Small Craft Advisory (SCA) range for windier waters and channels around Kauai, Oahu, Maui and the Big Island. Winds will remain moderate to locally strong near Maui and the Big Island for the next several days, keeping the SCA in effect for these waters into the weekend.

A series of small to moderate, medium to long period south and southeast swells will keep surf along south facing shores elevated into the weekend. A small, medium period south swell will continue to fade today just as the forerunners of the next long period south swell begin to arrive in the islands this morning.
This next south swell will build through Wednesday night, and peak on Thursday with head high to overhead surf heights at most exposed south shore surf breaks. Additional small pulses of south swell energy arrives on Saturday and Sunday.

Surf along east facing shores will gradually build today and then hold into the weekend as trade winds strengthen. West facing shores will remain on the small side with a slight south swell wrap. Surf heights along north facing shores will increase into Thursday due to tiny background northwest swell energy.

HFO WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES
Small Craft Advisory until 6 AM HST Thursday for Kauai Northwest Waters-Kauai Leeward Waters-Kauai Channel-Oahu Leeward Waters- Maalaea Bay-Pailolo Channel-Alenuihaha Channel-Big Island Leeward Waters-Big Island Southeast Waters.