Low pressure west of the islands will draw tropical moisture northward leading to periods of heavy rainfall, thunderstorms, and an increased flash flooding risk. Strong and gusty south to southeasterly winds are also expected Thursday and Thursday night. Unsettled conditions linger into next week.
Issued at 852 AM HST Wed Apr 8 2026
Latest radar imagery shows rain showers affecting mainly Maui and the Big Island this morning. While dry conditions prevail across the islands west of these two, areas of low clouds have been observed thanks to recent rainfall and light winds. Expect a mixture of VFR/MVFR/IFR conditions for most of today. Weather models suggest another round of widespread showers and isolated thunderstorms this afternoon and evening. Some will be heavy.
AIRMET Sierra is in effect for mountain obscuration on the southeast portions of the Big Island. Other islands are expected to be added today. AIRMET Zulu is in effect for icing on Big Island, and this also may be expanded to other islands today.
Issued at 852 AM HST Wed Apr 8 2026
South to southeast winds are expected to steadily increase late today into Thursday, as a low pressure system develops just west of the state. A Small Craft Advisory (SCA) is now in effect for the waters around the Big Island and the SCA will expand in coverage tonight as the winds continue to strengthen. Showers, some locally heavy, will be possible through Friday as a result of the southerly winds bringing tropical moisture to the north over the islands. As the low pressure system further deepens Thursday into Friday, we will likely see a greater coverage of thunderstorms and winds are expected to increase to gale force across the coastal waters. A Gale Watch has been issued starting Thursday for all Hawaiian waters. Depending on how the low pressure system evolves, Gale force winds could be possible by Thursday night. Very rough boating conditions are expected late Thursday into Friday as seas quickly rise in response to the strong to gale force southerly winds.
The current south-southwest swell continued to fill in overnight and latest near-shore buoys are at around 4 feet 17 to 18 seconds this morning. We should see this swell continue to fill in a bit more throughout the day today and slowly drop tonight through the rest of the week. A High Surf Advisory has is in effect for all south facing shores of the Hawaiian Islands through tonight.
Along north facing shores, a new moderate long-period northwest (310-320 degree) swell continues to fill in this morning and will steadily rise throughout the day today. This swell should peak just below advisory thresholds later today. A smaller short-period northwest swell is expected over the weekend into early next week.
As the long-period south swell declines on Thursday, strong to gale force southerly winds are expected to develop on Thursday and strengthen even further Thursday night into Friday. This increase of southerly winds will bring a rapid increase of short- period energy Thursday into Friday and will once again bring surf heights above the advisory thresholds for south facing shores. Large disorganized surf is expected along many south facing shores Thursday into Friday.
Surf along east facing shores could see an increase later this week due to the strengthening southeasterly winds especially for southeast exposures.
Flood Watch through Friday afternoon for all Hawaiian Islands.
High Surf Advisory until 6 AM HST Thursday for south facing shores of all Hawaiian Islands.
High Wind Watch from Thursday morning through late Thursday night for Central Oahu-Kauai Mountains-Kauai North-Koolau Leeward-Koolau Windward-Oahu North Shore-Olomana-Waianae Mountains.
Winter Weather Advisory until 6 AM HST Friday for Big Island Summits.
Small Craft Advisory from 6 PM this evening to 6 AM HST Thursday for Kauai Channel-Kauai Leeward Waters-Kauai Northwest Waters- Kauai Windward Waters-Oahu Leeward Waters.
Gale Watch from Thursday morning through late Thursday night for all nearshore waters.
Small Craft Advisory until 6 AM HST Thursday for Big Island Leeward Waters-Big Island Southeast Waters-Big Island Windward Waters.
