Geminid Meteor Shower Active, Fronts on the Way

Alerts

A Small Craft Advisory has been issued by the National Weather Service for Big Island windward waters and the Alenuihaha channel through 6 a.m. Thursday for northeast winds of 10 to 20 knots and rough seas of 8 to 16 feet.

**Click directly on the images below to make them larger. Charts include: Big Island high/low forecasted temperatures, projected winds, chance of cloud cover, projected localized weather conditions, vog/SO2 forecast and expected wave heights.**

Today, Wednesday December 10, 2014

Winds are expected to be light and variable today for the Big Island. That means mostly clear mornings and partly cloudy skies with isolated showers in the afternoon. Winds are expected to begin to veer out of the northeast and as winds pick up to about 15 mph in the afternoon. High temperatures should fall in the range of 78° to 83° and around 68° at 5000 feet.

Sunrise: 6:44 a.m.

Sunset: 5:42 p.m.

UV index at 6 (“high” exposure level)

Tonight

We expect partly cloudy skies with scattered showers for windward and mauka areas tonight, mainly after midnight. Leeward areas will likely get a land breeze which will help to clear skies of the afternoon and evening clouds as the night goes on. Winds are forecasted out of the northeast from 15 to 20 mph. Low temperatures are expected in the range of 69° to 74° with a low of about 52° at 5000 feet.

Moonrise: 9:45 p.m.

Moonset: 10:41 a.m. on Dec 11

Next New Moon: Dec. 21 at 3:36 p.m.

Next Full Moon: Jan. 4 at 6:54 p.m.

The Geminid Meteor shower is currently active. Peak nights are Dec. 12-13 and 13-14. For viewing tips and details click HERE.

Looking Ahead 

Winds are forecasted to increase Wednesday and Thursday as a front moves across the islands. This weak front is not expected to be a huge rain-maker but light showers will favor windward and mauka areas. The timing of this front brings it to the Big Island Thursday where it is expected to fall apart or dissipate. Moisture from the front is expected to linger around Hawaii County through the end of the work week for windward areas. Winds will fill in behind the front out of the north then northeast, turning easterly by Thursday before weakening on Friday. A second stronger front expected next weekend is forecasted to reach Hawaii County Sunday night and Monday and will bring strong and gusty winds in its wake.

Almanac for Hilo Airport

Maximum Temperature for today: 

Normal 80°

Record 85° / Set in 1962 and tied in 1977

Minimum Temperature for today:

Normal 65°

Record 60° / Set in 1973 and tied in 1982 and 1989

**Click here for your detailed Big Island surf report.**

Image: NOAA / NWS

Image: NOAA / NWS

Image: NOAA / NWS

Image: NOAA / NWS

Image: NOAA / NWS

Image: NOAA / NWS

Image: NOAA / NWS

Vog Forecast 12/10 afternoon / Image: UHSOEST

Image: NOAA / NWS