A Marine Weather Statement has been issued by the National Weather Service for a very large west-northwest swell. The Weather Service in Honolulu says the very large swell will remain elevated into Saturday. They are warning of strong harbor surges and large breaking waves at harbor entrances exposed to the swell. Some locations that could expect such conditions are the Kawaihae and Honokohau harbors.
The High Surf Warning has been extended for the west side of the Big Island. The warning is posted through Saturday at 6:00 p.m. Wave heights of 10 to 15 foot faces are expected. Expect ocean water occasionally sweeping across portions of beaches, very strong breaking waves and strong longshore and rip currents. Breaking waves may occasionally impact harbors making navigating the harbor channel difficult. Large breaking surf, significant shore break and dangerous currents will make entering the water very hazardous. Boaters should be aware of an increased number of surfers in the water.
A Small Craft Advisory has been issued for all island waters through 6:00 p.m. Saturday for winds from 15 to 25 knots and rough seas of 7 to 17 feet.
**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.**
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SWIPE LEFT OR RIGHT
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Today, Friday, January 23, 2015
Partly sunny skies are expected today. Windward spots can expect isolated showers in the morning and scattered showers in the afternoon. Variable winds up to 15 mph are forecasted. There is a southerly component to the wind so haze is expected to spread into the Hilo side of the island as well today (see UHSOEST vog model above). Afternoon sea breezes are expected to bring cloud cover and possible showers to the leeward side. High temperatures should fall in the range of 80° to 85°.
Sunrise: 6:57 a.m.
Sunset: 6:07 p.m.
UV index at 8 (“very high” exposure level)
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Tonight
Partly cloudy skies are expected. Leeward areas should become mostly clear after the land breeze takes hold. Variable winds up to 15 mph are expected. Low temperatures are forecasted from 66° to 72° degrees.
Moonrise: 9:30 a.m.
Moonset: 9:51 p.m.
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Next Full Moon: 1:09 p.m. on Feb. 3
Next New Moon: 1:47 p.m. on Feb. 18
Looking Ahead
Winds will strengthen from the southwest Friday as a front approaches from the northwest. The front will increase shower coverage over Kauai Friday and spread down the island chain through the weekend. Since this front is forecast to continually weaken as it passes the islands, it remains unclear if this feature will even affect the Big Island Sunday. At most, we expect only moderate showers as the front passes each island. High pressure will bring a dry trade wind regime in the wake of the front on Sunday and into early next week. Large surf from a northwest swell will also continue through the weekend.
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