Winter storm warnings issued for Hawaii ahead of a severe storm
Strong winds, heavy rain, and the potential for thunderstorms are expected as a winter storm develops northwest of Hawaii on Wednesday, January 29, 2025, impacting the islands through Friday, January 31. A Winter Storm Watch and Gale Watch have been issued for affected areas.
Sandwich composite forecast map for Hawaii. Image credit: NWS
A winter storm is expected to develop northwest of Hawaii on the night of Wednesday, January 29, and pass a few hundred miles north of Kauai on Thursday, January 30.
The system will move a cold front eastward through the islands on Thursday night and into Friday, January 31, bringing the potential for heavy showers and thunderstorms over the western end of the state starting Wednesday evening
The strongest winds are expected in the windward and mauka areas of Kauai and Oahu. Parts of Maui County and Hawaii Island may also experience strong, potentially damaging winds.
A Winter Storm Watch will be in effect from the night of Wednesday through Friday morning for the summits of Haleakala, Mauna Kea, and Mauna Loa. Ice accumulation may occur on roads and other surfaces as temperatures drop below freezing.
The storm system could impact mariners around Kauai, where a Gale Watch will be in effect from Wednesday evening through Thursday afternoon. Strong winds may create hazardous seas capable of capsizing or damaging vessels and reducing visibility.
List of warnings/watches/advisories
- Flood Watch from Wednesday evening through Friday morning for all Hawaii islands.
- High Wind Watch from Wednesday evening through late Thursday night for all Hawaii islands.
- Winter Storm Watch from late Wednesday night through late Thursday night for the Haleakala Summit.
- Winter Storm Watch from late Wednesday night through Friday morning for Big Island Summits.
- Gale Watch from Wednesday evening through Thursday afternoon for Kauai Northwest Waters, Kauai Windward Waters, Kauai Leeward Waters, and Kauai Channel.
Conditions will quickly improve behind the front Friday night into the weekend, continuing through early next week.
References:
1 Area Forecast Discussion for Hawaii – NWS -January 28, 2025
Rishav Kothari is Editor-in-Chief of The Watchers, where he runs the newsroom and covers earthquakes, volcanoes, severe weather and space weather.
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