Slew of Advisories Posted Ahead of Front

NWS radar at 5:20 p.m.

By Meteorologist Malika Dudley Email: [email protected]

Alerts

A Short Term Forecast has been issued by the National Weather Service for Maui County. A band of heavy showers is expected to move across the island of Maui between 5:30 p.m. and 7:00 p.m. this evening. Rainfall rates may briefly exceed 1 inch per hour. Motorists should expect reduced visibility as the heavy showers blow through. Meanwhile, a cold front currently over the Kaiwi channel is expected to move over Maui County this evening bringing a surge of strong gusty north winds and a few showers as well.

A Marine Weather Statement has been issued by the National Weather Service. A cold front has entered the Kauai coastal waters and will move into the coastal waters around Maui County and then to the Big Island later today and tonight. The front will bring a distinct shift and increase in winds from westerly to northwesterly. Along the front and after it passes winds will increase to 20 to 30 knots and become northwesterly. Winds could gust as high as 45 knots with seas becoming rough and steep at 7 to 13 feet. Well out ahead of the front scattered brief heavy showers with strong gusty winds are moving from southwest to northeast across the waters. Isolated thunderstorms and lightning are another possibility.

A Small Craft Advisory is posted for all Maui County coastal waters (excluding  Māʻalaea Bay) from 6 a.m. Tuesday, Dec. 30, to 6 a.m. Wednesday, Dec. 31, 2014. Winds are expected out of the northeast from 20 to 30 knots with higher gusts with rough seas rising to 8 to 14 feet.

A Wind Advisory is in effect for the summit of Haleakalā through 6 a.m. Wednesday, Dec. 31. Southwest winds are expected from 30 to 50 mph with higher gusts.

**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, Tuesday, December 30, 2014

Today, we expect partly to mostly sunny skies for leeward areas and isolated showers. In the morning windward areas can expect isolated showers with increasing chances for rain in the afternoon. Scattered showers are expected as the day goes on. Southwest winds are in the forecast from 15 to 25 mph with gusts to 35 mph. High temperatures should fall in the range of 75° to 80°.

Sunrise: 7:02 a.m.

Sunset: 5:55 p.m.

UV index at 5 (“moderate” exposure level)

Tonight

Mostly cloudy skies are expected for Maui County tonight. Scattered showers are expected in windward and mauka areas with occasional showers expected after midnight. Showers are likely through the night for leeward spots. Winds are forecasted out of the northwest from 15 to 25 mph with gusts to 35 mph. Low temperatures from 61° to 66° degrees.

Moonrise: 1:52 p.m.

Moonset: 2:59 a.m. on Dec. 31

Next Full Moon: Jan. 4 at 6:54 p.m.

Next New Moon: Jan. 20 at 3:14 a.m.

Looking Ahead

A cold front will sweep down the island chain today bringing stronger winds and showers, along with the possibility for a few thunderstorms. The front will reach Kauai around midday today, Oahu later this afternoon, Maui county early this evening, and the Big Island tonight. A brief period of rather dry northerly flow is expected New Year’s Eve and into New Year’s morning with decreased wind speeds. Thursday night through Saturday models are indicating a chance of thunderstorms. Uncertainty is still quite high so I will continue to watch this feature and bring you the latest as the forecast becomes more certain.

Almanac for Kahului Airport

Maximum Temperature for today:

Normal 81°

Record 87° / Set in 1950

Minimum Temperature for today:

Normal 64°

Record 54° / Set in 1953

**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

Vog Model / Image: UHSOEST

Image: NOAA / NWS