Update: Wind advisory extended until Sunday morning for much of Big Island

Update at 6:28 a.m. Nov. 15: The National Weather Service forecast office in Honolulu has again extended the wind advisory for North Kohala, South Kohala, North Kona, Kaʻū and interior portions of the Big Island.

The advisory is now in effect until 6 a.m. Sunday.

East winds 20 to 30 mph, with gusts up to 50 mph, can be expected, with the strongest winds over ridges, through passes and near higher terrain.

Winds this strong can tear off shingles, knock down tree branches, blow away tents and awnings and make it difficult to steer, especially for drivers of high-profile vehicles.

The public is reminded to watch out for falling tree branches when walking or driving, make
sure tents and awnings are secure or taken down and be prepared for power outages.

A high surf advisory for east-facing shores of the Big Island also remains in effect, along with a coastal flooding statement for the same shorelines.

A red flag warning goes will be in effect from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. today as well, as the combination of dry fuels, relative humidity as low as 40% to 45% and the strong easterly trade winds will create critical fire weather conditions in leeward portions of the state, including the Big Island.

Update at 5:20 p.m. Nov. 14: The high surf advisory in effect for east-facing shores of the Big Island has been extended until 6 a.m. Sunday as strong trade winds will maintain large east wind waves, keeping surf heights above advisory levels into the weekend.

Large breaking waves of 8 to 12 feet are forecast along eastern shorelines. Combined with strong currents, swimming and other ocean activities will be dangerous in the advisory areas.

The National Weather Service forecast office in Honolulu also issued a coastal flooding statement from midnight Friday through 8 a.m. Nov. 18 for the same areas, with peak monthly tides corresponding with the high surf event.

Minor isolated coastal flooding in the typical low-lying vulnerable areas can be expected in the early mornings.

Flooding of beaches that are normally dry, minor coastal erosion and saltwater inundation are possible along windward coasts.

The public is advised:

• Avoid driving through flooded roadways.
• If you are forced to drive through salt water, be sure to rinse your vehicle with fresh water.
• Move electronics, vehicles or other valuables to higher ground.
• Monitor vessels to ensure mooring lines don’t get too tight.
• Watch out for overwash around boat ramps.
• Secure canoes or other watercraft stowed on beaches.

As always with any dangerous ocean weather event, heed all advice from ocean safety officials, and when in doubt, don’t go out.

The National Weather Service also encourages the public to submit coastal flooding photos to the University of Hawaiʻi Sea Grant College Program’s Hawaiʻi and Pacific Islands King Tides Project online.

A wind advisory also remains in effect through 6 a.m. Saturday for North Kohala, South Kohala, North Kona, Kaʻū and interior portions of the Big Island.

Update at 4:48 a.m. Nov. 14: The wind advisory for North Kohala, South Kohala, North Kona, Kaʻū and interior portions of the Big Island has been extended until 6 a.m. Saturday.

The National Weather Service forecast office in Honolulu is still saying the advisory areas will see sustained winds of 20 to 30 mph with gusts of up to 50 mph. Winds will be the strongest over ridges, through passes and near higher terrain.

A high surf advisory is also now in effect for east-facing shores of the Big Island until 6 a.m. Saturday as those strong winds produce large east wind waves, building surf heights above advisory levels along exposed eastern shorelines into the weekend.

Large breaking waves of 7 to 10 feet are forecast today, building to 8 to 12 feet by Friday.

Swimming and other ocean activities in the advisory areas will be dangerous because of strong breaking waves and strong currents.

The public is advised to heed all advice from ocean safety officials — when in doubt, don’t
go out.

Update at 7:32 p.m. Nov. 13: The National Weather Service has added the summits of Mauna Kea and Mauna Loa on the Big Island to areas under a wind advisory.

The advisory for the summits will be in effect through 6 a.m. Friday, as east winds of 30 to 40 mph are expected, with gusts up to 55 mph.

The public is advised to consider postponing travel to the summits until conditions improve. If you must travel to the summits, use extra caution walking and driving. Be careful opening and closing doors.

Original post at 10:16 a.m. Nov. 13: Strong high pressure north of the state is generating robust trade winds across the islands today. Blustery trade winds will persist into the weekend, and likely increase in speed, as the high strengthens.

The National Weather Service forecast office in Honolulu issued a wind advisory for several areas of the state, including North Kohala, South Kohala, North Kona, Kaʻū and interior portions of the Big Island.

The advisory is in effect through 6 p.m. Thursday.

East winds of 20 to 30 mph, with higher gusts, can be expected in the advisory areas.

Winds this strong can tear off shingles, knock down tree branches, blow away tents and awnings and make it difficult to steer, especially for drivers of high profile vehicles.

The National Weather Service and Hawai‘i County Civil Defense advise those in the advisory areas to:

• Watch out for falling tree branches when walking or driving.
• Drive with caution and be aware of debris, downed trees and utility lines.
• Make sure tents and awnings are secure or take them down.
• Be prepared for power outages.
• Stay clear of downed utility lines and report all hazards to authorities.

For more information or impact information because of the windy conditions, visit the Hawai‘i County Hazard Impact Map.

The National Weather Service Hawai‘i Area Synopsis from early Wednesday morning said the advisory will likely be extended and expanded for Friday and Saturday as forecast models remain on track for winds to continue strengthening and possibly peaking near high wind warning speeds in some areas of the state.

A high wind warning is when winds reach a sustained 40 mph or faster for more than 1 hour and/or gusts of 58 mph or faster for any amount of time.

A high wind watch could be issued by later today as forecast confidence increases.

With relative humidity expected to remain in the upper 40s, forecasters are not anticipating any fire weather concerns because of the high winds. However, conditions could come close Thursday or Friday afternoon.

The National Weather Service will be closely monitoring the situation for any changes in the forecast during the coming days.

Wind speeds are expected to slowly taper down Sunday into Monday, but still remain fairly breezy.

Big Island Now news reporter Nathan Christophel contributed to this story.