Light Winds Today, Front Headed Our Way

Maui / Image: Andrew Shoemaker

By Meteorologist Malika Dudley / Email: [email protected]

Alerts

A Marine Weather Statement has been issued by the National Weather Service for a very large west-northwest swell. The Weather Service in Honolulu says a rapidly building swell will arrive tonight and remain elevated into Thursday. They are warning of strong harbor surges and large breaking waves at harbor entrances exposed to the swell. Some locations that can expect such conditions are Kaumalapau harbor on Lāna’i.

A High Surf Warning has been issued for the north and west shores of Moloka’i and the north shore of Maui. The warning goes into effect this evening at 6:00 p.m. and is posted through Thursday at 6:00 p.m. Wave heights of 30 to 40 foot faces are expected along the north shores while 15 to 25 foot faces are expected on the west side of Moloka’i. Expect ocean water occasionally sweeping across portions of beaches, very strong breaking waves and strong longshore and rip currents. Breaking waves may occasionally impact harbors making navigating the harbor channel difficult. Large breaking surf, significant shore break and dangerous currents will make entering the water very hazardous. Boaters should be aware of an increased number of surfers in the water.

A High Surf Advisory has been issued for the west shores of Maui, Lāna’i and Kaho’olawe from 6:00 p.m. tonight through 6:00 p.m. Thursday. Wave heights from 12 to 15 feet are expected on Maui. Surf heights of 6 to 10 feet are expected for Lāna’i and Kaho’olawe. Expect strong breaking waves, shore break and strong longshore and rip currents making swimming difficult and dangerous.

A Small Craft Advisory has been issued for all island waters from 6:00 p.m. tonight through 6:00 p.m. Thursday for southwest winds from 10 to 20 knots and rough seas of 8 to 18 feet.

**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, January 20, 2015

Today we should get partly sunny skies in Maui County. We expect light and variable winds forecasted up to 15 mph. These weak winds mean a land and sea breeze pattern is likely to set up. As the land heats up, sea breezes are expected to develop which may lead to afternoon cloud cover in some spots. High temperatures forecasted to fall in the range of 78° to 83°.

Sunrise: 7:05 a.m.

Sunset: 6:09 p.m.

UV index at 8 (“very high” exposure level)

Tonight

Partly cloudy skies and isolated showers are expected tonight. Leeward spots may be cloudy to start but are expected to clear as the land breeze takes hold. Low temperatures from 66° to 71° degrees are expected. Light and variable winds up to 15 mph are forecasted.

Moonrise: 7:06 a.m.

Moonset: 6:48 p.m.

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

Next Full Moon: 1:09 p.m. on Feb. 3

Looking Ahead

Light winds and dry weather is expected through mid-week. South to southwest winds will increase ahead of a front approaching from the northwest late in the week. The front will bring increased showers and stronger northerly winds to Kauai on Friday, and to the rest of the state over the weekend. Trade winds will return next week.

Almanac for Kahului Airport

Maximum Temperature for today:

Normal 81°

Record 88° / Set in 2012

Minimum Temperature for today:

Normal 63°

Record 48° / Set in 1969

**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: UHSOEST

Image: NOAA / NWS