HONOLULU (KHON2) -– Hawaii can expect stronger trade winds starting Thursday, with breezy conditions prevailing throughout the weekend.
The state will experience an uptick in rainfall, particularly on the windward slopes, as a disturbance moves over the region.
A high-pressure system to the northeast of the state and a trough just northwest of Kauai are influencing the island’s weather pattern.
This setup has kept the winds ranging from light to moderate across the western half of the state and moderately strong easterly trades across the eastern half.
While tonight will remain relatively dry with a few scattered showers over windward areas, and isolated showers possible over leeward locations, significant changes are forecasted starting Thursday.
The trough will weaken and shift westward tonight, leading to strengthening trade winds by Friday. These breezy conditions are expected to affect the entire state, with particularly strong winds forecasted for windier regions in Maui County and the Big Island.
With the stronger winds, an increase in showers is also anticipated, primarily affecting windward and mauka (mountain) areas.
An upper-level low approaching from the west over the weekend will further enhance rainfall, bringing the potential for brief heavy downpours through the early part of next week.
Stay tuned for weather updates from Hawaii’s Weather Station, KHON2.