Hawaii Extended Forecast Discussion NWS Weather Prediction Center College Park MD 728 AM EST Thu Feb 16 2017 Valid 00Z Fri Feb 17 2017 - 00Z Fri Feb 24 2017 Upper ridging currently stretched across the region is forecast to weaken to the southeast of the Big Island this weekend as a shortwave slides east along 30-35N. This will support a cold front pushing through the area on Saturday. The 00Z ECMWF was just a bit quicker than the 00Z-06Z GFS with the front which is similar to their ensemble means. Precipitation appears to be rather light as most of the forcing stays well north. Post-FROPA, heights are forecast to slowly rise as another shortwave deepens to the northeast of the state which is shown to close off by the deterministic models near 35N/150W next Thursday. Northeast trades should increase later this week after the front pushes through and remain elevated next week as a surface high slides eastward along 30N, veering to ENE. Fracasso