Hazy Skies, Front Ahead

Haleakalā sunset 1.22.15 / Image: Asa Ellison

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 the very large swell will remain elevated through Saturday. 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.

The High Surf Warning has been extended for the north and west shores of Moloka’i and the north shore of Maui. The warning is posted through Saturday at 6:00 p.m. Wave heights of 20 to 30 foot faces are expected along the north shores while 12 to 18 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.

The High Surf Advisory has also been extended for the west shores of Maui, Lāna’i and Kaho’olawe through 6:00 p.m. Saturday. Wave heights from 8 to 12 feet are expected on Maui. Surf heights of 6 to 9 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 through 6:00 p.m. Saturday for winds from 15 to 25 knots and rough seas of 7 to 17 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, Thursday, January 22, 2015

Today we should get partly sunny skies in Maui County with isolated showers. The UHSOEST vog model shows hazy skies throughout Maui County due to southwest winds blowing those particulates toward us from the Big Island. Winds are expected from 15 to 20 mph with higher gusts. High temperatures forecasted to fall in the range of 82° to 87°.

Sunrise: 7:05 a.m.

Sunset: 6:11 p.m.

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

Tonight

Mostly cloudy skies are forecasted with scattered showers expected after midnight. Low temperatures from 67° to 72° degrees are expected. West winds from 15 to 20 mph are expected with higher gusts.

Moonrise: 9:36 a.m.

Moonset: 9:57 p.m.

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

Next New Moon: 1:47 p.m. on Feb. 18

Looking Ahead

Winds will strengthen from the southwest Friday as a front approaches from the northwest. The front will increase shower coverage over Kauai Friday and spread down the island chain through the weekend. The forecast calls for clouds and showers to increase during the day on Saturday for Maui County. Just moderate showers are expected. High pressure will bring a dry trade wind regime in the wake of the front on Sunday and into early next week. Large surf from a northwest swell will also continue through the weekend.

Almanac for Kahului Airport

Maximum Temperature for today:

Normal 81°

Record 88° / Set in 1981 and tied in 1996

Minimum Temperature for today:

Normal 63°

Record 52° / 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: UHSOEST

Image: NOAA / NWS

Image: NOAA / NWS