Honolulu is set to experience a mix of weather conditions through next week as a weakening cold front continues its journey through Maui County and heads towards Big Island. Increased showers, especially along windward slopes, and breezy east-northeasterly trade winds are on the agenda following the frontal passage. According to the National Weather Service in Honolulu, “a cold front over Maui County will move south through Big Island today, bringing an increase in showers, especially along windward slopes.”
The front, which has already brought rainfall totals ranging from 0.20 to 2.78 inches, is expected to become more diffused later this afternoon into the evening. Breezy northeast winds are filling in behind the front, with the winds due to become stronger mid-week as a high-pressure system builds north of the islands. The NWS has reported, “Mid-level ridging in place over the region will continue to limit vertical development, keeping rainfall rates modest overall.”
For aviation, the cold front’s progression is resulting in VFR conditions behind the front, but piloting through more challenging MVFR conditions during frontal passage seems likely. Windward and mauka regions are particularly affected, with AIRMET Sierra in effect for several areas due to clouds and showers. As for marine conditions, the NWS warns of rough waters as “A Small Craft Advisory remains in effect for many coastal areas today” and will expand to include all Hawaiian coastal waters starting this evening…