A Tropical Storm Warning is in effect for Hawaiian offshore waters as Tropical Storm Fausto tracks toward the islands.
Fausto is forecast to pass just north of the Hawaiian Islands Tuesday night through Wednesday. It won’t make landfall.
But it’s close enough to bring dangerous seas offshore and high surf to east-facing shores.
Offshore Waters Under Tropical Storm Warning
The NWS Honolulu office issued the warning for Hawaiian offshore waters 40 to 240 nautical miles from the islands.
That includes part of the Papahānaumokuākea Marine National Monument east of French Frigate Shoals.
Tropical storm conditions are expected through Wednesday. Forecasters call for seas of 8 to 20 feet, highest in eastern waters, with isolated thunderstorms east of 155W tonight.
Fausto’s Winds and Track
Fausto was a Category 2 hurricane earlier this week, with winds as high as 105 mph.
It has since weakened. Maximum sustained winds are now near 65 mph, per the Honolulu Star-Advertiser.
Tropical-storm-force winds extend up to 140 miles from the center. The storm is moving west-northwest, staying north of the island chain.
Offshore Conditions Through the Weekend
Winds in the warning area are forecast at 35 to 45 knots north of 21N Tuesday into Tuesday night, with seas of 7 to 16 feet.
Conditions ease some by Wednesday, with winds of 25 to 35 knots and seas of 6 to 12 feet.
By Thursday, winds drop into the 15-to-25-knot range. Seas settle to 7 to 9 feet before building slightly again over the weekend as trade winds return.
High Surf Building on East-Facing Shores
A High Surf Advisory is in effect for east-facing shores of all islands through 6 PM Wednesday.
Forecasters expect surf to build to 10 to 14 feet. The advisory could be upgraded to a warning as the swell peaks, according to Big Island Now.
The storm-generated swell itself is forecast to peak Tuesday night into Wednesday at 14 to 18 feet. It should decline through the rest of Wednesday as Fausto pulls away.
What Boaters and Beachgoers Should Do
Mariners should avoid the offshore warning area through midweek. Seas above 15 feet can be dangerous even for larger vessels.
Swimmers and surfers on east-facing shores should stay out of the water if conditions look rough. Rip currents get stronger as surf builds.
Check the latest forecast at weather.gov/hfo before heading out on the water this week.
Read full article: Tropical Storm Fausto Set to Pass North of Hawaii as High Surf Warning Looms
The post “Tropical Storm Fausto Set to Pass North of Hawaii as High Surf Warning Looms” by Luka Trcek was published on 07/28/2026 by www.travelinglifestyle.net