Trade Wind Weather Expected Today, Changes Ahead

Pukalani Sunset yesterday / Image: Asa Ellison

By Meteorologist Malika Dudley / Email: [email protected]

Alerts

The High Surf Warning has been cancelled.

A High Surf Advisory replaces the Warning and is in effect through Thursday at 6 p.m. for surf of 8 to 13 feet along east-facing shores. Impacts include strong breaking waves, shore break and strong currents making swimming difficult and dangerous.

A Marine Weather Statement is posted for Kahului harbor and other east-facing harbors across Maui County due to the large northeast swell. Navigating harbor entrances could be difficult and dangerous. Moderate surges and large breaking waves are expected near harbor entrances. Mariners should exercise extreme caution when operating vessels inside harbors or near entrances.

The Small Craft Advisory has been extended for all Maui County waters until Thursday at 6 p.m. Winds of 25 knots are expected and rough seas up to 13 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, Wednesday December 3, 2014

High clouds are expected to stream overhead throughout the day obscuring the sky from time to time. Trade winds are expected from 10 to 20 mph with higher gusts. Trade wind weather is forecasted with morning windward and mauka scattered showers. Leeward spots are forecasted to get isolated showers and partly cloudy skies. High temperatures should fall in the range of 79° to 84° and around 70° at 5000 feet.

Sunrise: 6:47 a.m.

Sunset: 5:44 p.m.

UV index at 6 (“high” exposure level)

Tonight

Partly to mostly cloudy skies are expected across Maui County tonight with showers likely for windward and mauka areas and isolated showers for leeward areas. Winds are out of the northeast from 10 to 20 mph with higher gusts. Low temperatures are expected in the range of 65° to 72° with a low of about 50° at 5000 feet.

Moonrise: 3:54 p.m.

Moonset: 5:05 a.m. on Dec. 4

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

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

Looking Ahead

Fresh trade winds will weaken to moderate levels through Wednesday as high pressure weakens. Showers will mainly favor windward and mauka areas. An increase in high cirrus clouds is expected starting today. This will be most noticeable in leeward spots. Rainfall may increase and temperatures may drop starting Friday and into the weekend.

Almanac for Kahului Airport

Maximum Temperature for today:

Normal 82°

Record 89° / Set in 1955

Minimum Temperature for today:

Normal 66°

Record 58° / Set in 1962 and tied in 2009

**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