Strong northeast winds, significant north swell possible on Thanksgiving

You might want to reconsider any outdoor Thanksgiving Day plans as the National Weather Service in Honolulu says there is a good chance of strong winds blowing across the state.

A cold front is forecast to move quickly down the island chain Wednesday night and on Thanksgiving Day, bringing a brief period of showers. More significantly, strong northeast winds are expected to develop after the front passes, potentially resulting in a period of very windy conditions.

“Forecast confidence is high that most areas around the state will be impacted by these winds,” the National Weather Service said in a special weather statement. “You may want to consider moving any planned outdoor Thanksgiving events to indoors, as well as postponing hanging any outdoor holiday decorations, which may become damaged or airborne with the strong winds.”

A powerful low pressure system passing north of the area will also generate a large north swell that will build Wednesday night, with the peak potentially coinciding with extreme high tides Thursday and Friday mornings.

Homeowners, beachgoers and boaters should prepare for the potential of significant wave runup along exposed north-facing shores.

Hawaiʻi County Civil Defense says people with shoreline property or boats from ʻUpolu Point in North Kohala south through Hāmākua to Cape Kumukahi in Puna should take this time to secure their property from high surf.

Beaches could also be closed without notice.