Hurricane Nolo will slowly track north to the west of the islands and remain over the Papahanaumokuakea Marine National Monument through Wednesday. Nolo will take a westerly turn and move away from the state Thursday, nearing the International Date Line as a Category 1 or Tropical Storm Sunday. Bands of showers along Nolo's eastern flank will move up from the south and pass across the islands the next few days with Oahu and Kauai likely picking up the higher rain totals. Breezy southeast winds will persist through Wednesday, weaken through late week and then transition back to trades by early next week.
Moderate to breezy southeast winds will persist through Wednesday as Hurricane Nolo gradually slides off to the west, away from the state. Outer rain bands associated with Nolo will bring showers into mainly Kauai and Oahu from the south over the next 24 hours, with Kauai expecting the most coverage. MVFR and even IFR conditions will be possible within these showers.
AIRMET Sierra is in effect for Kauai due to the clouds and showers moving over the island from the south. This AIRMET will likely be needed through Wednesday and may need to be expanded to Oahu.
AIRMET Tango is in effect for low level turbulence west through north of the island terrain over Kauai.
Issued at 309 PM HST Tue Sep 29 2026 Moderate to fresh SE winds prevails over area waters. Strong to near-gale SE flow will develop tonight into Wednesday around Kauai due to Hurricane Nolo's close proximity. The Small Craft Advisory remains in effect for these waters. Moderate trades return early next week.
The moderate, medium period SW swell originating from Nolo has eased slightly with the latest observations coming in below the High Surf Advisory (HSA). The HSA has therefore been allowed to expire. Surf along E shores has declined in response to emerging SE flow. Surf will remain small until moderate trades return early next week providing a modest boost. Multiple rounds of tiny swell originating out of the northwest quadrant will reach north and select west facing exposures next week as the storm track in the vicinity of the Aleutian Islands becomes increasingly active.
Small Craft Advisory until 6 PM HST Wednesday for Kauai Channel- Kauai Leeward Waters-Kauai Northwest Waters-Kauai Windward Waters.
