Light Winds Continue, Front on The Way

Alerts

A Marine Weather Statement has been issued by the National Weather Service for a very large west-northwest swell. The Weather Service in Honolulu says a rapidly building swell will arrive tonight and remain elevated into Thursday. They are warning of strong harbor surges and large breaking waves at harbor entrances exposed to the swell. One location that could expect such conditions is Honokohau harbor.

A High Surf Warning has been issued for the west side of the Big Island. The warning goes into effect this evening at 6:00 p.m. and is posted through Thursday at 6:00 p.m. Wave heights of 15 to 20 foot faces are expected. Expect ocean water occasionally sweeping across portions of beaches, very strong breaking waves and strong longshore and rip currents. Breaking waves may occasionally impact harbors making navigating the harbor channel difficult. Large breaking surf, significant shore break and dangerous currents will make entering the water very hazardous. Boaters should be aware of an increased number of surfers in the water.

A Small Craft Advisory has been issued for all island waters from 6:00 p.m. tonight through 6:00 p.m. Thursday for southwest winds from 10 to 20 knots and rough seas of 8 to 18 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, Tuesday, January 20, 2015

Partly cloudy skies are expected today. Light and variable winds up to 15 mph are forecasted. As the land heats up, sea breezes are expected to develop which will lead to afternoon cloud cover and possible isolated showers. Hazy skies are expected for the west side of the Big Island in the afternoon (see UHSOEST vog model above). High temperatures should fall in the range of 78° to 83°.

Sunrise: 6:58 a.m.

Sunset: 6:05 p.m.

UV index at 8 (“very high” exposure level)

Tonight

Partly cloudy skies are expected. Leeward spots may be cloudy to start but are expected to clear as the land breeze takes hold. Light and variable winds up to 15 mph are expected. Low temperatures are forecasted from 67° to 72° degrees.

Moonrise: 6:59 a.m.

Moonset: 6:43 p.m.

Next New Moon: Jan. 20 at 3:14 a.m.

Next Full Moon: 1:09 p.m. on Feb. 3

Looking Ahead 

Light winds and dry weather is expected through mid-week, with most showers limited to south slopes of the Big Island. South to southwest winds will increase ahead of a front approaching from the northwest late in the week. The front will bring increased showers and stronger northerly winds to Kauai on Friday, and to the rest of the state over the weekend. Trade winds will return next week.

Almanac for Hilo Airport

Maximum Temperature for today: 

Normal 79°

Record 87° / Set in 1974 and tied in 1977

Minimum Temperature for today:

Normal 64°

Record 57° / Set in 1969 and tied in 1980

**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

Image: UHSOEST

Image: NOAA / NWS