High Wind Watch Issued for Mauna Kea, Mauna Loa

Powerful gusts up to 85 mph expected to impact Big Island summits later this week.

Mar. 10, 2026 at 11:39pm

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The National Weather Service has issued a high wind watch for the summits of Mauna Kea and Mauna Loa on the Big Island of Hawaii, with strong southwest winds of 45 to 65 mph and gusts up to 85 mph expected from Thursday evening through Sunday afternoon.

Why it matters

High winds of this magnitude can make driving and walking extremely dangerous, with the potential to forcefully open doors and damage hinges or slam doors shut, posing a risk of injuries. The strong winds may also impact outdoor activities and operations on the Big Island summits.

The details

According to the National Weather Service in Honolulu, the high wind watch is in effect for the summits of Mauna Kea and Mauna Loa starting Thursday evening and continuing through Sunday afternoon. The weather service is forecasting southwest winds of 45 to 65 mph, with gusts up to 85 mph possible during this time period.

  • The high wind watch is in effect from Thursday evening through Sunday afternoon.

The players

National Weather Service in Honolulu

The regional office of the National Weather Service that issued the high wind watch for the Big Island summits.

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The takeaway

Residents and visitors on the Big Island should be prepared for potentially dangerous high wind conditions later this week, and take necessary precautions when traveling or engaging in outdoor activities on the Mauna Kea and Mauna Loa summits.