Moderate to locally breezy trade winds will continue today, followed by gradual strengthening Thursday into Friday. Mostly dry conditions will persist through Friday with occasional passing showers over windward and mauka areas. However, by the weekend the main weather concern will be related to the potential tropical development of 93C, currently around 900 miles east-southeast of the Big Island. Residents and visitors should prepare now for potential tropical cyclone impacts this weekend. For the latest development regarding 93C, please monitor www.hurricanes.gov.
Breezy trade winds will continue much of the week and may strengthen slightly through at least Thursday. Scattered showers will focus over mostly windward and mountain areas, and remain light due to an area of drier air anticipated to move through the islands today.
AIRMET Sierra is currently in affect for mountain obscuration for the north to east side of Maui. Molokai and Big Island maybe added to this as an area of low level clouds moves from the east.
AIRMET Tango for low level moderate turbulence over and immediately south and west of mountain ranges will also be watched closely as wind speeds are expected to gradually strengthen today through Thursday.
Issued at 345 AM HST Wed Aug 12 2026 High pressure to the far northeast will slowly drift into a position just north of the Hawaiian Islands into the weekend, producing moderate to locally strong trade winds across the region. A Small Craft Advisory (SCA) was extended in time through Thursday afternoon for the windier waters and channels around Maui and the Big Island.
The weather pattern may change significantly this weekend as we continue to watch for a developing tropical cyclone currently in an area roughly 800-900 NM east-southeast of the Big Island. Potential impacts are uncertain at this time, as the tropical cyclone has not yet formed and track guidance remains challenging. Marine interests should be prepared for potential tropical cyclone impacts to offshore and coastal marine zones starting Friday and lasting through the weekend.
Surf along south and west facing shores will continue to remain elevated as overlapping south swells continue to fill in around the islands today. Another moderate, long period south swell will fill in later today through Thursday, with swell energy peaking south shore surf heights into the High Surf Advisory range on Thursday. This south swell energy will then slowly fade into Saturday. In the long range surf outlook, the next decent boost in south swell energy may arrive by the end of next week (Aug 19th through 23rd).
Surf along east facing shores will continue to remain moderate and rough due to continued trade winds. Later in the week, the track of a developing tropical cyclone will dictate the potential for a large swell exceeding warning levels from the east to southeast direction.
Surf along north facing shores will remain flat to tiny through the week.
Small Craft Advisory until 6 PM HST Thursday for Alenuihaha Channel-Big Island Leeward Waters-Big Island Southeast Waters- Maalaea Bay-Pailolo Channel.
