Area Forecast Discussion
Issued by NWS Honolulu, HI
Issued by NWS Honolulu, HI
114 FXHW60 PHFO 301941 AFDHFO Area Forecast Discussion National Weather Service Honolulu HI 941 AM HST Wed Sep 30 2026 .SYNOPSIS... The center of Tropical Storm Nolo has moved out of Hawaii`s offshore waters and will travel west over the Papahanaumokuakea Marine National Monument waters the next several days. 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 rainfall totals. Breezy southeast winds will persist through the day, weaken through late week and then transition back to trades early next week. && .SHORT TERM UPDATE... Periods of moderate to heavy rainfall affected Kauai this morning. A persistent moist south to south-southwest wind flow associated with the eastern flank of Tropical Storm Nolo will continue to bring period of moderate to heavy rainfall from time to time through this afternoon mainly across Kauai and Oahu. Latest REFS model was showing precipitation should tapper off by mid afternoon as a drier air mass moves through the region. Rest of the state should remain dry, although some showers cant be ruled out. Flood advisory likely to continue for southern part of Kauai through this afternoon until drier air moves or rainfall rates diminish. && .AVIATION... Moderate to breezy southeast winds will persist through this afternoon then weaken heading into Thursday as Tropical Storm 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 for mountain obscuration is in effect for Kauai and Oahu due to the clouds and showers moving over the island from the south. This AIRMET will likely be needed through most of today. AIRMET Tango is in effect for low level turbulence west through north of the island terrain over Kauai. This AIRMET will likely be needed through most of today before the low level wind speeds ease as early as this afternoon when Nolo pushes further west. && .MARINE... Moderate to fresh south to southeast winds prevail for most areas as Tropical Storm Nolo slowly drifts westward away from the Hawaiian Islands. For waters surrounding Kauai, stronger southerly winds will continue through the day, along with seas up to around 11 feet. A Small Craft Advisory remains in effect through this afternoon for the combination of winds and seas across Kauai waters. Gentle to fresh east to southeast winds will prevail across all waters by Thursday. The moderate, medium period west to southwest swell originating from Nolo will continue for Niihau and Kauai today. A small background south swell continues for other islands. The next small boost in south swell energy will arrive early next week Monday and Tuesday. Surf along other shores will remain small until moderate trades return early next week providing a slight boost to east facing shores. Multiple rounds of tiny northwest swell energy will reach north and west facing shores into early next week as the storms tracking near the Aleutian Islands becomes increasingly active. && .HFO WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES... Small Craft Advisory until 6 PM HST this evening for Kauai Channel-Kauai Leeward Waters-Kauai Northwest Waters-Kauai Windward Waters. && DISCUSSION...Castro AVIATION...Almanza MARINE...Vaughan