11/24 4a Small Craft Advisory for Maui and Big Island

The National Weather Service has issued a small craft advisory for waters off of Maui and the Big Island through Friday morning.  A strong high far north-northeast of the area is expected to bring locally strong trade winds.  In addition, increased north-northwest and north-northeast swells are expected to arrive through Thursday, contributing to rought seas. 

File photo by Wendy Osher.

The trade winds and rough seas will reach small craft advisory levels over the windier areas of the islands lat this morning through Friday.  The winds will continue to increase tonight.  The advisory was extended to include windward waters of the smaller islands and all channels. 

Areas within the advisory include Kauai Northwest waters, Kauai Windward waters, Kauai Channel, Oahu Windward Waters, the Kaiwi Channel, and Maui County Windward waters. 

East winds will be in the 15 to 25 knot range with locally higher gusts, and rough seas of 7-11 feet. 

A small craft advisory means that wind speeds of 25-35 knots and/or seas of 10 feet or greater are expected to produce conditions hazardous to small craft.  In experienced mariners, especially those operating smaller vessels, should avoid navigating in these conditions.