Photo Credit: Brendan Stephen

West Kaua’i

Today: Partly sunny in the morning then becoming mostly sunny. Highs around 89 near the shore to around 77 above 3000 feet. Light winds becoming southwest up to 10 mph in the afternoon.

Tonight: Partly cloudy. Lows 67 to 72 near the shore to around 58 above 3000 feet. Northeast winds up to 10 mph.

Sunday: Mostly sunny. Highs around 90 near the shore to around 78 above 3000 feet. East winds up to 15 mph.

South Kaua’i

Today: Cloudy early in the morning then becoming partly sunny. Scattered showers early in the morning, then isolated showers late in the morning. Highs around 86. Northeast winds 10 to 15 mph. Chance of rain 50 percent.

Tonight: Mostly cloudy with isolated showers. Lows 65 to 71. Northeast winds 10 to 15 mph. Chance of rain 20 percent.

Sunday: Partly sunny. Breezy. Isolated showers in the morning. Highs around 87. Northeast winds 10 to 20 mph. Chance of rain 20 percent.

Kaua’i Mountains

Today: Mostly cloudy. Scattered showers in the morning, then isolated showers in the afternoon. Highs 76 to 83 in the valleys to around 67 above 4000 feet. East winds up to 10 mph. Chance of rain 50 percent.

Tonight: Breezy. Mostly cloudy with scattered showers. Lows 58 to 63 in the valleys to around 53 above 4000 feet. East winds up to 15 mph increasing to 10 to 20 mph after midnight. Chance of rain 50 percent.

Sunday: Mostly cloudy. Breezy. Scattered showers in the morning, then isolated showers in the afternoon. Highs 77 to 84 in the valleys to around 68 above 4000 feet. East winds 10 to 20 mph. Chance of rain 50 percent.

North Kaua’i

Today: Mostly cloudy. Scattered showers early in the morning, then isolated showers in the late morning and afternoon. Highs 79 to 88. East winds up to 15 mph. Chance of rain 40 percent.

Tonight: Mostly cloudy with isolated showers. Lows 61 to 71. East winds up to 10 mph. Chance of rain 20 percent.

Sunday: Partly sunny with isolated showers. Highs 80 to 89. East winds up to 15 mph. Chance of rain 20 percent.

East Kaua’i

Today: Mostly cloudy. Numerous showers early in the morning, then isolated showers in the late morning and afternoon. Highs 79 to 87. East winds up to 10 mph. Chance of rain 70 percent.

Tonight: Mostly cloudy with isolated showers. Lows 59 to 73. Northeast winds around 10 mph. Chance of rain 20 percent.

Sunday: Mostly cloudy with isolated showers. Highs 80 to 88. East winds 10 to 15 mph. Chance of rain 20 percent.

Detailed Forecast

Synopsis

Moderate to breezy trades will return later today through Sunday, with clouds and showers favoring windward and mauka locations. Trades will ease into the light to moderate range Monday through Tuesday, then persist through a good portion of the week.

Discussion

The latest surface analysis shows a weakened ridge extending west-southwestward across the region north of the state due to a cold front passing farther north. This pattern has lowered the trades locally, allowing localized land and sea breeze conditions to become established over the western end of the state. As upper heights rise and the surface ridge strengthens over the weekend, breezy trades and more stable conditions will return starting today. Rainfall accumulations will remain limited, with the best chances favoring windward and mauka areas.
A pattern transition is expected next week due to two broad gale lows forecast to form far northwest and northeast of the state. The surface ridge will respond by weakening, allowing the trades to return to the light to moderate range. With most of the weather associated with these systems remaining far west and north- northeast of the area, mostly dry conditions should persist, with mainly windward and afternoon leeward showers forming where localized sea breezes develop.

Aviation

Light to moderate easterly trade winds will gradually strengthen today as clouds and showers will generally favor windward and mountain areas. Overall, VFR conditions should prevail with brief MVFR conditions possible in showers.
AIRMET Sierra is in effect for mountain obscuration across windward sections of Kauai through this morning and conditions will likely improve through the morning hours. No other AIRMETS are currently in effect.

Marine

A high pressure ridge along 28N will produce trade winds in the fresh to strong range into Monday across the state. Two low pressure systems developing NW and NE of the islands from early to the middle of next week will weaken the ridge, and decrease winds over the Hawaii region from Tuesday onward.
Surf heights will remain below advisory levels through much of next week. A small relatively small to medium period northwest swell will continue to elevate north and west shore surf heights today, then diminish on Sunday as it shift from a more northerly direction. Small long period south swell will bring small surf to south facing shores, with potential for a small boost early next week.
A Coastal Flood Statement (CFWHFO) for all coastal zones is highlighting the fact that higher than forecast water levels are combining with full moon high tides, bringing the potential for minor coastal flooding, mainly during the early morning hours.

HFO Watches/Warnings/Advisories

Small Craft Advisory until 6 PM HST Sunday for Maalaea Bay, Pailolo Channel, Alenuihaha Channel, Big Island Leeward Waters, Big Island Southeast Waters.

Data Courtesy of NOAA.gov