The First day of weather alert continue into Saturday as dry and strong trade winds will continue through the first half of the weekend. And a Red Flag Warning was extended until Saturday until 4 p.m.

The rain we’re hoping for won’t arrive until Saturday night as a slug of moisture pushes towards the islands through Sunday. Red flag warning thresholds will be reached by Saturday as the current drier air and low relative humidity continue to affect the condition.

Surface observations showed sustained wind speeds near 30 mph, with gusts up to 50 mph at times over the windiest locations in Maui County and the Big Island. These strongest winds occur over leeward locations, through valleys and in channels where strong downslope and tilting effects occur. A wind advisory remains in effect for Maui County and the Big Island until early Sunday morning.

We’re keeping a close eye on a weak front that will send a slug of moisture to the state. Right now, the timing is a bit late, allowing this drier air to continue through most of Saturday, which is associated with the continuation of the Red Flag Warning.

Additionally, we are closely watching an upper trough that will move across the eastern end of the state, coinciding with the band of low-level moisture. This will work to increase instability a bit, and isolated storms have been added to the forecast for Saturday afternoon and evening for windward portions of Hawaii Island with this afternoon’s forecast updates.

The surf will be pretty choppy as well with the trade winds showing through Sunday. Be safe in the elements.

Copyright 2024 Hawaii News Now. All rights reserved.