Kauai Forecast Calls for Sunny Skies, Moderate Trades

The National Weather Service outlines Friday highs up to 89 degrees and a Small Craft Advisory across Hawaiian coastal waters.

Updated on Nov. 13, 2026 in Forecasts

Large surf breaks against dark volcanic rocks on a sunlit Hawaiian coastline, with green headland and open blue sea beyond. — The National Weather Service forecasts mostly sunny skies and highs near 89 degrees on Kauai Friday, with a Small Craft Advisory covering Hawaiian coastal waters until 6 AM HST. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

The National Weather Service issued its Kauai forecast for November 13, 2026, calling for mostly sunny conditions with scattered morning showers and highs up to 89 degrees near the shore. A Small Craft Advisory remains in effect for all Hawaiian coastal waters until 6 AM HST Friday.

Why it matters

Residents and visitors planning outdoor activities, ocean trips, or mountain travel across the islands will face variable rain chances and elevated surf. Fuel conditions remain below critical thresholds, so no Red Flag Warnings were issued.

Tonight's Kauai lows range from 67 to 72 degrees near the shore, with east winds up to 15 mph forecast through Friday. Temperature inversion heights will remain between 5,500 and 7,000 feet statewide, though the forecast does not address how those heights may shift later in the week.

The details

A weakening high pressure ridge north of the Hawaiian Islands keeps trade wind speeds on a decreasing trend from Friday into Saturday, while a reinforcing high from the northwest builds southeast Friday night. A High Surf Advisory covers north and west facing shores of Niihau, Kauai, Oahu, and Molokai, and AIRMET Sierra is in effect for mountain obscuration over windward areas of the Big Island.

Tonight (November 12, 2026): Mostly clear skies with isolated showers after midnight.
Friday (November 13, 2026): Mostly sunny with scattered morning showers and highs up to 89 degrees.
Until 6 AM HST Friday: Small Craft Advisory in effect for Hawaiian coastal waters.
Saturday: Trade wind speeds decrease and a new north-northwest swell arrives.
Monday into Tuesday of next week: Next best chance for statewide rainfall as cloud remnants drift.

Seasonal Patterns

The forecast follows a fall trade-wind pattern in which above-average rainfall over recent months has kept Hawaiian fuel conditions below the thresholds that trigger Red Flag Warnings. The next statewide rain opportunity is projected for early next week.

Boaters and surfers should heed the Small Craft Advisory and High Surf Advisory before entering coastal waters. Hikers and windward-area travelers should check conditions given the AIRMET for mountain obscuration over the Big Island.

The takeaway

Fuel conditions remain below critical thresholds after months of above-average rainfall, which is why no Red Flag Warnings have been issued. Check the forecast again before outdoor plans on the coast or in the mountains this weekend.