Update: Wind advisory extended through Thursday morning for much of Big Island

Update at 3:47 p.m. March 5: The wind advisory in effect for much of the Big Island has been extended until 6 a.m. March 6 as National Weather Service forecasters in Honolulu expect east winds to continue at 20 to 30 mph, with gusts up to 50 mph.

Hawaiʻi County Civil Defense advises because of the wind advisory:

• Those in the advisory areas should take necessary precautions.
• Drive with caution and be aware of debris, downed trees and utility lines.
• Stay clear of downed utility lines and report all hazards to authorities.

The advisory areas include north, south, southeastern and interior portions of the island, including North and South Kohala as well as parts of Kaʻū and Puna.

Winds will be strongest over and downwind of the mountains and where winds are funneled and channeled around and between terrain.

Original post from 1:51 p.m. March 4: A wind advisory is in effect for much of the Big Island until 6 p.m. March 5 as breezy to strong trade winds are expected to continue.

The National Weather Service in Honolulu forecasts winds of 20 to 30 mph, with gusts of up to 50 mph, for north, south, southeastern and interior portions of the island, including North and South Kohala as well as parts of Kaʻū and Puna.

Winds will be strongest over and downwind of the mountains and where winds are funneled and channeled around and between terrain.

Forecasters warn that winds this strong can tear off shingles, knock down tree branches, blow away tents and awnings and make it difficult to steer, especially in high-profile vehicles.

The public is advised to:

• Watch out for falling tree branches when walking or driving.
• Make sure tents and awnings are secure or taken down.
• Be prepared for power outages.
• Use extra caution when driving, especially in high-profile vehicles.
• Secure trash cans, lawn furniture and other loose outdoor objects that can be easily blown around by strong winds.

Strong trades were already in full swing Tuesday morning, with peak gusts of 69 and 51 mph at the Pu’uloa station along the ridge of the Kohala Mountains on the Big Island and MECO Kealaloloa Ridge station in leeward Maui, respectively.

Meanwhile, sustained winds at South Point on the Big Island peaked at 32 mph early this morning.

Elsewhere, trades were gusty but generally fell short of the advisory threshold as of early this morning. However, forecasters expected gusty winds to expand in coverage and magnitude with daytime heating by late this morning through the afternoon.

Little change is anticipated during the next 24 hours.

A similar evolution is expected tonight, with gusty winds retreating to only the most favorable locales before expanding in coverage again Wednesday.