UPDATE 5 P.M.

A wind advisory is in effect until 6 a.m. Thursday for portions of Maui County and the Big Island.

According to the National Weather Service, strong high pressure building north of Kauai and a stalled front over the Big Island will result in windy northeasterly tradewinds across the advisory areas.

Forecasters expect winds of 25 to 35 mph with gusts of up to 50 mph. Winds this strong could cause loose objescts to blow around and could result in downed tree branches.

Areas in the advisory include Lanai, Kahoolawe, Maui, west Big Island and east Kohala, including the cities of Manele, Lanai City, Lahaina, Kaanapali, Hilo, Volcano, Honokaa, Kamuela and Waikoloa.

A small craft advisory and gale warning is also in effect until 6 a.m. Thursday.

Gale conditions are expected through tonight for the Alenuihana and Pailolo channels, as well as Maalaea Bay and portions of Maui County leeward waters.

Forecasters expect northeast winds up to 40 mph, and warn that strong winds and rough choppy seas could create hazardous boating conditions.

UPDATE 11 A.M.

The state’s Clean Water Branch issued a brown water advisory for Honokahua, Maui due to heavy rains. Residents and visitors are advised to stay out of flood waters due to possible contamination from overflowing cesspools, sewer manholes, pesticides, animal fecal matter, dead animals, pathogens, chemicals and associated food debris.

PREVIOUS COVERAGE

Although tradewinds have returned to the islands, the cold front that heralded their return also promises cloudy, windy and wet conditions today.

Weather officials at the National Weather Service issued a wind advisory overnight advising of gusty northeast tradewinds for all islands except the Big Isle today. Forecasters said we can expect winds of 25 to 35 mph with gusts up to 50 mph. The advisory is in effect until 6 p.m. tonight.

“The strongest gusts are expected over and downwind of higher terrain,” weather officials said.

Meanwhile, the cold front that moved down the island chain Tuesday was expected to stall over Hawaii island today and boomerang back northward, bringing cloudy conditions to most of the state and showers primarily to windward and mauka areas, forecasters said.

Temperatures should peak in the mid to upper 70s this afternoon.

The breezy trades are expected to continue through Thursday, petering out until another expected cold front passes north of the isles.