Hawaii is currently enjoying relatively calm weather, but a major atmospheric shift is on the horizon. The remnants of Tropical Storm Norbert are heading toward the islands, bringing a wet, humid disruption mid-week.
While severe wind damage is not expected, residents and visitors should prepare for localized flooding, heavy downpours, and building surf.
The Timeline: From Calm Trades to Tropical Moisture
Through Tuesday, Hawaii will experience typical island weather. Expect mostly sunny skies with isolated showers and high temperatures hovering between 80 and 90 degrees near the coast, dropping to the low 60s and 70s at higher elevations. Trade winds will remain light to moderate.
The real shift begins late Wednesday. Norbert is projected to transition into a post-tropical system, pushing a thick band of deep tropical moisture over the island chain. This moisture will linger through Friday morning, bringing a noticeable spike in humidity and widespread showers.
Heavy Rain and Potential Flood Watches
The primary concern with Norbert’s remnants is rainfall. As trade winds strengthen to moderate and breezy levels on Thursday, they will push this tropical moisture directly into the islands.
- Where it will hit hardest: Windward and mountain (mauka) areas will bear the brunt of the wet weather.
- Leeward impacts: Downpours are highly likely to spill over into leeward communities as well.
- Flooding risk: Rainfall could be heavy enough to trigger a Flood Watch, particularly from Thursday into Thursday night.
Fortunately, the risk of wildfires remains exceptionally low across all counties due to recent rainfall and the incoming moisture surge.
Rising Swells and Marine Hazards
In addition to wet weather, Hawaii's coastlines will see increased wave action.
A series of long-period south-to-southwest swells will begin arriving on Wednesday, with larger waves building by Friday. Surf along southern shores could approach official advisory thresholds over the weekend.
Meanwhile, strengthening trade winds and Norbert’s passing trough will also cause surf to trend upward along east-facing shores during the second half of the week.
The Weekend Outlook
The damp conditions will not last forever. By late Friday into Saturday, the bulk of the tropical moisture is expected to push west of the state. While some lingering showers may persist into Saturday morning, weather conditions will steadily improve. Moderate to breezy trade winds will return, ushering in drier, much more comfortable air for the remainder of the weekend.
