Malika Dudley’s Big Island Forecast (11/01/14)

**A breakdown of expected conditions specific to the Big Island is presented below in graphical form. High and low temperatures, swell, percent chance of clouds / rain and wind conditions are each depicted. All graphics are provided by the National Weather Service in Honolulu.**

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SWIPE LEFT OR RIGHT

 
Alerts
The National Weather Service has extended the HIGH SURF ADVISORY for east shores of the Big Island until 6 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 1, 2014. Hazardous ocean conditions are expected due to a combo of north swell and increasing winds. Watch out for rip currents, dangerous shore break conditions and strong breaking waves.
 
The SMALL CRAFT ADVISORY has been extended for waters near South Point, Big Island leeward waters and the Alenuihaha channel until 6:00 a.m. Sunday. Winds of 25 knots are expected with rough seas from 8 to 12 feet. Inexperienced mariners are cautioned to avoid navigating these conditions.
 
Today
A trade wind weather pattern is expected for Hawaii County with mostly cloudy skies for windward and mauka areas and scattered showers. Meanwhile, the Kona side should see clear skies and light winds early on with clouds building late in the day possibly spawning some scattered afternoon showers. High temperatures should fall in the range of 80° to 85° up to around 71° at 5000 feet. In general, trade winds should fall in the 10 – 25 mph range. Along the Hamakua coast and above 5000 feet gusts could reach 30 mph early on and 40 mph by the afternoon. At South Point winds could gust up to 35 mph.
 
Sunrise: 6:21 a.m.
Sunset: 5:46 p.m.
UV index at 7 (“high” exposure level)
 
Tonight
We expect mostly cloudy skies tonight with showers likely for windward and mauka areas. The Kona side will be mostly cloudy in the evening but gradually clearing as the night goes on. Low temperatures should fall in the range of 69° to 74° with a low of about 56° at 5000 feet. Trade winds are expected from 10 – 25 mph.
 
Moonrise: 2:05 p.m.
Moonset: 2:14 a.m.
Next Full Moon: Nov 6, 2014 at 12:23 p.m.
Next New Moon: Nov 22, 2014 at 2:33 a.m.
 
Looking Ahead
Trade winds are expected to decrease slightly over the weekend. Trade showers are expected to continue through the weekend dampening windward sides and even pushing some showers over to leeward areas from time to time. Early next week, trade winds are expected to decrease further. By midweek trades should start filling back in. Another front is expected to affect us next week as well.
 
Surf & Seas
Hilo: Surf is expected in the head high to overhead range all day. Spots best exposed to the swell could see sets of a couple feet overhead. Sloppy conditions.
Kona: Surf from ankle to waist high is forecasted. Breaks not exposed to the swell will see the smaller surf.
South: Waist to shoulder high waves are expected. The southeast coast will also catch the trade swell.
 
Our current mix of north swells (340-360°) will peak early this morning at a couple feet overhead for the breaks best exposed to the swell. This swell is expected to fade out starting later today. A new northwest swell (315-350°) is expected to peak in the chest high range late Tuesday.
 
A moderate trade wind swell is affecting our eastern shores which are under a high surf advisory at this time. Sloppy, choppy conditions are expected for northeast shores.
 
A reinforcing swell (200-185°) is expected over the weekend, peaking in the knee to chest high range Saturday into Sunday morning before fading out early next week. After that swell subsides, surf goes quiet with not much on the horizon out of the South Pacific.
 
Keep in mind, surf heights are measured on the face of the wave from trough to crest. Heights vary from beach to beach, and at the same beach, from break to break.
 
Almanac for Hilo Airport
Maximum Temperature for today:
Normal 82°
Record 87° / Set in 1996

Minimum Temperature for today:
Normal 68°
Record 62° / Set in 1955 and tied in 1980 and 1985