First Alert Forecast: Gusty winds, elevated fire danger, and large surf

HONOLULU (HawaiiNewsNow) - The HNN First Alert Weather team has declared that Thursday and Friday are FIRST ALERT WEATHER DAYS due to the gusty trade winds and elevated leeward fire danger.

A WIND ADVISORY is currently in place for portions of Maui County and Hawaii Island. Easterly winds between 20-30 miles per hour are forecasted. Wind gusts could climb even higher, potentially reaching 40 miles per hour.

A FIRE WEATHER WATCH will also go into effect for all leeward regions of the island chain on Friday morning. This watch will last until Friday afternoon. A pocket of dry air will move in across the state, and the combination of low relative humidity, dry brush fuels, and strong gusty winds will lead to elevated fire danger.

Even though it may be raining on an island’s windward side, several leeward regions remain in drought conditions.

HIGH SURF ADVISORIES will also continue for north and west-facing shores as an extra large swell continues to move away from the island chain. Surf on north and west-facing shores is on the decline but will remain above advisory criteria until 6 PM this evening.

A HIGH SURF ADVISORY is also in effect for east-facing shores due to the large wind swell approaching. Surf will continue to build on east-facing shores and this advisory will last until 6 AM on Saturday.

Get weather updates every ten minutes and your 7-Day First Alert Forecast on HNN Sunrise, weekdays with Guy Hagi and weekends with Billy V. Meteorologist Drew Davis has your forecasts on This is Now, First at Four and Hawaii News Now at 6:30. And join Chief Meteorologist Jennifer Robbins at 5, 5:30, 6, 9 and 10 and Ben Gutierrez on weekends.

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