Tropical Storm Pena Brings Gusty Winds and Elevated Surf to Hawaii

Tropical Storm Pena is tracking well to the south of the Hawaiian island chain today, forcing a shift in local atmospheric pressure that has unleashed gusty trade winds across the state.

While the storm remains hundreds of miles away, its influence is keeping conditions unsettled through the start of the week. These trade winds are expected to ease to more typical speeds early in the week before strengthening once again later on.

Rainfall has largely clung to mountain ranges and windward areas. Kona recorded nearly 3 inches of rain, while most other regions saw much lower totals. Forecasters expect these showers to taper off today, with a possible resurgence arriving tonight. Passing showers will continue to affect windward and mountain spots through the middle of the week, with an additional band of moisture potentially bringing more rainfall toward the end of the week.

A brief lull in the weather is expected for Monday and Tuesday as wind speeds ease. During this window, precipitation will be confined to overnight and early morning hours on windward slopes.

Stability will be short-lived, however; trade winds are slated to strengthen again by Wednesday as a cold front tracks toward the islands. This front brings the potential for renewed gusts and showers on Thursday, though meteorologists report that the specific intensity of these winds and the total rainfall remain uncertain.

While north-facing shores see elevated surf today, heights are expected to drop early in the week before a potential surge late Wednesday into Thursday that could push waves toward warning levels. South shore surf is currently trending downward, while east shore conditions remain rough; those waters are expected to ease slightly before building again by Wednesday.

The First Alert Weather Team—chief meteorologist Jennifer Robbins and anchors Guy Hagi, Dan Cooke, Ben Gutierrez, and Billy V.—is tracking these fluctuations. Residents can access the latest updates via the Hawaii News Now weather application on the Apple App Store and Google Play.

Earlier coverage: Tropical Storm Pena Brings Scattered Showers and High Surf to Hawaii