Wind Gusts of Up to 70 mph Forecast for Haleakalā, Maui

Wind gusts of 60 mph are forecast for Maui County, with stronger gusts of up to 70 mph forecast for the summit of Haleakalā.

The National Weather Service has issued a Wind Watch for the county from Friday afternoon through Saturday afternoon due to the impacts of a strong high pressure system that is building north of the islands.

The NWS says the strong east winds will strengthen today and peak on Saturday.

Forecasters with the NWS say we can expect sustained east winds of 25 to 40 mph with possible higher gusts.

Winds are expected to be especially strong where they are accelerated over and downwind of mountain tops and ridges, through valleys and gaps in terrain, and down slope.