The National Weather Service has issued a high wind watch starting tomorrow evening and exending through Friday afternoon.

The watch, which was announced at 3:55 p.m. today, says a cold front moving through the Islands is expected to bring strong southwest winds across the state, as a cold front approaches from the northwest.

"Winds will be strongest ahead of and along the front, which will sweep across Kaua'i Friday morning and O'ahu mid-day Friday," the weather service said.

A high wind watch means there is potential for a high wind event, with sustained winds of at least 40 mph and gusts up to 58 mph. The strongest gusts are expected in high terrain and on windward sides of islands.

In the past, high winds have led to spotty power outages, trees and branches being blown down and roof damage.

State and county civil defense agencies will be holding three videoconferences tomorrow, to hear updates from the National Weather Service and decide in conjunction with the state Department of Education whether to close any schools, said Shelly Ichishita, a spokeswoman for state Civil Defense.

"I'm of the opinion that in 50 mph winds, the best place children can be is in school," said Mark Marshall, Kaua'i Civil Defense director. But the decision will be made tomorrow with updated information, he said.