Breezy to strong trade winds through this weekend

HONOLULU (KHON2) — Windward showers will increase across most islands tonight. Trade winds, which are currently moderate to breezy, will continue through tonight and strengthen from Wednesday through Friday as drier air moves in. Trade winds will gradually ease next week, maintaining relatively dry conditions.

In the past 24 hours, higher moisture levels have led to light to moderate showers, mainly affecting the Big Island, Maui, and Kauai. This evening, with ample moisture in place, expect periods of light to moderate rain primarily over windward and mountain areas of most islands through early Wednesday morning.

A high pressure located far north-northeast of Hawaii is responsible for driving these moderate to breezy trade winds across the islands. Models indicate that as this high strengthens further, drier conditions and stronger trade winds will prevail from Wednesday through Thursday. Windy trade conditions will persist through the latter half of the week, potentially prompting wind advisories for wind-prone areas of the Big Island and Maui.

During the second half of the week, anticipate mainly light windward showers carried by the trades, with leeward areas experiencing mostly dry conditions. Additionally, an upper level low forming to the west is expected to bring high cirrus clouds moving in from the south starting Thursday through the weekend.

Looking ahead, trade winds will ease slightly to breezy levels over the weekend, maintaining relatively dry conditions through early next week.