Puna Weather
Thursday 5th February 2026
Today and Friday mostly dry with light southeast winds, increasing to moderate during the afternoons.
Saturday light to moderate south winds with showers increasing through the day, becoming scattered by night.
Sunday through Tuesday easterly trade winds that could be strong at times, especially late Sunday and early Monday (I'll keep an eye on this). Rain possibly heavy at times. The extended period of rain could lead to some flooding issues.
This weekend an upper level low deepens to our west (500mb chart) with a lower level trough to our southwest with a strong high pressure cell to our northwest (surface chart). This places our island between the high and low pressure with strong easterly winds peaking around 4,000' but still strong and gusty at the surface.
The upper level low is creating some instability regionally and that's enhancing the low level moisture. Aloft southwest flow around the upper level feature is pulling deep tropical moisture overhead (700-300mb moisture chart). The combination of strong easterly flow, abundant moisture, and some cooler air aloft will give the entire windward side a good soaking late Saturday through Tuesday, possibly longer.
The long period of strong easterly trade winds will lead to high surf along windward shores likely causing closure along the Bayfront.
