UPDATE: Forecasters issue a high wind watch for parts of Big Island beginning Sunday morning

12:48 p.m. Feb. 7 update: Sustained winds up to 40 miles per hour and gusts of over 60 miles per hour are possible on Hawaiʻi Island beginning Sunday morning (Feb. 8).

The National Weather Service has issued a high wind watch for leeward, downslope areas, North and South Kohala, and North Kona districts, and Hawaii Island interior from tomorrow Sunday morning through Monday.

During a high wind watch, people are advised to:

• Those in the high wind watch area should take necessary precautions and secure outdoor items.
• Plan for this period to limit driving to essential travel only.
• Please stay clear of downed trees and utility lines and report all hazards to authorities.

A flood watch also remains in effect across the island through Monday.

Due to the flood watch, residents are urged to take time to prepare for possible heavy rains and high winds that are forecast to arrive Sunday.

The high surf advisory for west facing shores of Hawaii Island remains in effect through this evening.

Original post: High surf advisory conditions are expected on west-facing shores of the Big Island beginning Saturday morning.

According to the National Weather Service, a large west-northwest to northwest swell will build down the island chain this afternoon and tonight. Forecasters have issued a flood watch for all Hawaiʻi islands starting tomorrow afternoon, Feb. 7.

Along west-facing shores of the Big Island, surf is predicted to build to six to eight feet Saturday morning.

According to forecasters, impacts could be moderate with strong breaking waves, and strong currents will make swimming dangerous.

The swell is expected to decline sharply Saturday afternoon and evening, with surf expected to fall below advisory levels by Sunday morning.

For more information, visit the County of Hawaiʻi Hazard Impact Map.