Posted on: Saturday, April 2, 2005

Blustery conditions expected again today

By Curtis Lum
Advertiser Staff Writer

Strong trade winds are expected to continue to blow through the Islands today with sustained winds of 15 to 30 mph and gusts to 50 mph expected through tonight.

The National Weather Service yesterday issued a wind advisory for the state and reported gusts of 56 mph at Lana'i Airport, 49 mph at Makua Valley on O'ahu, and 48 mph at Pu'uanahulu on the Big Island yesterday afternoon. The gusty winds are the result of a strong high-pressure system to the north of the Islands, the weather service said.

The strongest winds are expected to be over mountain ranges, through valleys aligned with the wind and over the slopes on the downward sides of the mountains, the weather service said. The wind advisory is in effect until 6 a.m. tomorrow.

Residents are being asked to take precautions. Loose objects should be tied down or moved to a sheltered location, and the weather service said people also should prepare for possible power failures.

The weather service yesterday also issued a high surf advisory for east-facing shores of Kaua'i, O'ahu, Moloka'i, Maui and the Big Island through tomorrow. Surf faces in the 6- to 10-foot range are being forecast.

The high surf is being generated by the strong trade winds, the weather service said.