Hazy Today, Front Brings Showers For Weekend

Taken from Wailuku yesterday / 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 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 is posted through Friday 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 through 6:00 p.m. Friday. 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 through 6:00 p.m. Friday for southwest winds from 10 to 20 knots and rough seas of 7 to 16 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 mostly sunny skies in Maui County. 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 10 to 15 mph with 30 mph gusts. High temperatures forecasted to fall in the range of 79° to 84°.

Sunrise: 7:05 a.m.

Sunset: 6:10 p.m.

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

Tonight

Partly cloudy skies are forecasted with isolated showers expected after midnight. Low temperatures from 67° to 72° degrees are expected. Southwest winds from 15 to 20 mph are expected with gusts to 35 mph.

Moonrise: 8:49 a.m.

Moonset: 8:55 p.m.

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

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

Looking Ahead

Winds will turn to the south and southwest and become stronger on Thursday as a front approaches the islands from the northwest. The front will bring increasing showers, starting over Kauai county on Friday and spread down the island chain through the weekend. 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 89° / Set in 1956

Minimum Temperature for today:

Normal 63°

Record 49° / 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