High Wind Warning Issued for Big Island Lower Elevations Through Sunday Morning

Alert Details

The National Weather Service in Honolulu has issued a High Wind Warning for the lower elevations of the Big Island. This alert (NWS code: HWW) indicates that severe weather conditions are likely and requires immediate preparation.

Affected Areas

The warning covers a broad geographic scope across the Big Island, including:

• Kona and Kohala
• Big Island Interior
• Big Island South, Southeast, East, and North

While strong gusty winds are possible island-wide, the NWS notes that communities located north and east of steep mountains, specifically within the Kona and Kau Districts, are at the highest risk.

What You Should Do

Residents should take the following actions to ensure safety and protect property:

• Secure Property: Bring loose outdoor items inside or secure them properly to prevent them from becoming projectiles.
• Driving Safety: Exercise extreme caution while driving. Powerful crosswinds will create hazardous conditions, especially for drivers of lightweight or high-profile vehicles.
• Prepare for Outages: Be aware that damaging winds may blow down trees and power lines, which could lead to power outages.

Expected Conditions

Southwest winds are forecast to increase to speeds of 30 to 40 mph. Wind gusts are expected to reach up to 60 mph in lower elevations. These conditions are strong enough to cause roof damage and significant utility disruptions.

Timeline

The High Wind Warning is effective as of 1:13 PM HST on Friday, March 13, 2026. The hazardous conditions are expected to persist until the alert expires at 6:00 AM HST on Sunday, March 15, 2026.