Hawaii
First Alert Weather Days declared for Hawaii Island, Maui County amid strong winds, elevated fire danger
HONOLULU (HawaiiNewsNow) – The HNN First Alert Weather team has been monitoring the strong winds and chance for elevated fire danger all week long.
Due to gusty winds, low relative humidity, and dry brush fuels present in leeward regions, Wednesday and Thursday are now FIRST ALERT WEATHER DAYS for Hawaii Island and Maui County.
Winds
The National Weather Service has issued several alerts across the state as winds continue to build in strength. Those alerts currently include:
A WIND ADVISORY for portions of Hawaii Island and Maui County. This advisory will end at 6 p.m. Wednesday. Sustained easterly winds could reach as strong as 25-35 miles per hour, gusting up to 50 mph.
A HIGH WIND WARNING for Hawaii Island’s summits. This warning will end at 6 p.m. Wednesday. Sustained easterly winds could reach as strong as 50-60 miles per hour, gusting up to 70 mph.
Cooler-than-average high temperatures for this time of year may keep relative humidity levels from reaching the 45% humidity criteria for a Red Flag Warning, but the ingredients for fire danger are still present.
Drought is still present in many leeward areas across the state. Please remain vigilant and avoid burning throughout the rest of this week.
Small Craft Advisory
A SMALL CRAFT ADVISORY for all offshore waters. This advisory will last until 6 p.m. Thursday. Easterly winds up to 30 knots and seas up to 12 feet are expected.
Surf
Among the strong winds, high surf is also in the forecast across the island chain.
A HIGH SURF ADVISORY is also in effect for the north and west-facing shores of Kauai, Oahu, Molokai, and the north-facing shores of Maui. This advisory will last until 6 AM on Wednesday.
Surf on north-facing shores could peak as high as 18-24 feet today. Wave heights are forecasted to drop to around 12-16 feet tonight.
Surf on east-facing shores is also on the rise this week due to the strong trade winds.
Chief Meteorologist Jennifer Robbins has Hawaii’s most accurate First Alert Forecast every weeknight at 5, 5:30, 6, 9 and 10. Get weather updates every ten minutes on HNN Sunrise, weekdays with Guy Hagi and weekends with Billy V. Meteorologist Drew Davis has your forecasts on This is Now at noon, First at Four and Hawaii News Now at 6:30. And join Ben Gutierrez weekends.
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