Big Island New Year’s Eve Forecast

Alerts

A Small Craft Advisory is posted for Big Island windward and leeward coastal waters and the Alenuihaha channel through 6:00 p.m. Wednesday Dec. 31, 2014. Winds are expected out of the northeast from 15 to 30 knots with higher gusts with rough seas rising to 7 to 17 feet.

A High Wind Warning was issued by the National Weather Service for the summits of Mauna Kea and Mauna Loa through 6:00 a.m. Wednesday Dec. 31, 2014. West to southwest winds are expected from 45 to 70 mph with gusts over 90 mph possible.

**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, New Year’s Eve, December 31, 2014

Today, we expect conditions to slowly clear up. Winds and showers should diminish as the day goes on. As conditions clear, it will get cooler. The UHSOEST vog model shows haze over the Hilo side in the afternoon. Winds are expected out of the north from 15 to 25 mph turning variable and weakening by New Year’s Day. High temperatures should fall in the range of 74° to 79°.

Sunrise: 6:55 a.m.

Sunset: 5:52 p.m.

UV index at 6 (“high” exposure level)

Tonight

Partly cloudy skies are expected on the Big Island with isolated showers. Northerly winds are expected from 15 to 25 mph but weakening and turning variable. Cooler than usual low temperatures are forecasted from 58° to 65° degrees.

Moonrise: 2:34 p.m.

Moonset: 3:47 a.m. on Jan. 1

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

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

Looking Ahead 

Very cool, brisk winds will spread across the islands behind the front Wednesday into New Year’s Day. We expect clearing with cool temperatures by early Wednesday morning. It will be a cool New Year’s Eve as northerly winds are forecasted to continue over the state, with much less showers. Forecast charts indicate there will be some moisture lingering near the islands Wednesday. A few stable low clouds may continue across the island chain. Another cold front will bring active weather and a chance of thunderstorms Friday and Friday night.

Almanac for Hilo Airport

Maximum Temperature for today: 

Normal 79°

Record 86° / Set in 1973

Minimum Temperature for today:

Normal 64°

Record 57° / Set in 1958

**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