Breezy Thanksgiving Forecast

Pukalani Rainbow Yesterday / Image: Asa Ellison

By Meteorologist Malika Dudley / Email: [email protected]

Alerts

A Wind Advisory is in effect until 6 p.m. this evening for winds out of the northeast from 20 to 35 mph, gusting to 45 mph across the Maui Central Valley, Lāna’i and Kaho’olawe. The advisory may need to be extended if strong winds persist. Winds this strong can bring down tree branches and make driving difficult, especially for high profile vehicles.

A Marine Weather Statement has been issued by the National Weather Service for north facing harbors, including Kahului harbor. A large north-northeast swell will continue to affect these areas producing moderate surges and large breaking waves. Mariners should exercise caution when operating vessels inside harbors or near harbor entrances today.

A High Surf Advisory is in effect for the north and east facing shores of Maui and Molokaʻi for a larger than expected north-northeast swell. Surf along north facing shores could reach heights of 12 to 15 feet. Surf along east facing shores could reach heights of 8 to 12 feet. The advisory is set to expire at 6 p.m. on Thursday.

Expect strong breaking waves, shore break and dangerous currents that make getting into the water hazardous and swimming difficult.

A Small Craft Advisory is posted for all Maui County waters until 6 p.m. today. Winds of 20 to 25 knots are expected and rough seas from 10 to 15 feet. Inexperienced mariners should avoid navigating in these conditions.

**Click directly on the images below to make them larger. Charts include: Maui County high/low forecasted temperatures, projected winds, chance of cloud cover, projected localized weather conditions and expected wave heights.**

Today, Thursday November 27, 2014

Leeward areas in Maui County should expect mostly sunny skies while windward and mauka areas may get on and off scattered morning showers and isolated afternoon showers. Winds are expected out of the east from 15 to 25 mph with higher gusts. High temperatures should fall in the range of 79° to 84° and around 68° at 5000 feet.

Sunrise: 6:44 a.m.

Sunset: 5:43 p.m.

UV index at 6 (“high” exposure level)

Tonight

Partly cloudy skies are expected across Maui County tonight with scattered showers for windward and mauka areas. Winds are out of the east from 15 to 20 mph. Low temperatures are expected in the range of 68° to 73° with a low of about 51° at 5000 feet.

Moonrise: 11:24 a.m.

Moonset: 11:15 p.m.

Next Full Moon: Dec. 6 at 2:27 a.m.

Next New Moon: Dec. 21 at 3:36 p.m.

Looking Ahead to the Thanksgiving Holiday Weekend

Your Thanksgiving weekend forecast currently calls for breezy winds through the end of the weekend. Winds may approach or reach advisory criteria in some areas such as Lanai and Kahoolawe Thursday through Friday. Scattered showers should focus mainly in windward and mauka areas in the morning and evening hours. Leeward spots will get lots of sunshine. A wetter trade wind day may come Friday when the remnants of an old front reach us. Otherwise, we are looking at relatively dry trade wind weather regime for the rest of this week and the weekend. The forecast will be updated daily and as necessary so check back for any changes.

Almanac for Kahului Airport

Maximum Temperature for today:

Normal 83°

Record 93° / Set in 2005

Minimum Temperature for today:

Normal 67°

Record 55° / Set in 1985

**Click here for your detailed Maui County surf report.**

Image: NOAA / NWS

Image: NOAA / NWS

Image: NOAA / NWS

Image: NOAA / NWS

Image: NOAA / NWS

Image: NOAA / NWS

Image: NOAA / NWS

Image: NOAA / NWS