Air Temperatures – The following maximum temperatures (F) were recorded across the state of Hawaii Saturday along with the low temperatures Saturday:
84 – 77 Lihue, Kauai
85 – 73 Honolulu, Oahu
87 – 74 Molokai AP
88 – 75 Kahului AP, Maui
88 – 75 Kailua Kona
85 – 72 Hilo AP, Hawaii
Here are the latest 24-hour precipitation totals (in inches) for each of the islands as of Saturday evening:
1.64 Mount Waialeale, Kauai
1.27 Nuuanu Upper, Oahu
0.50 Molokai
0.03 Lanai
0.00 Kahoolawe
1.89 West Wailuaiki, Maui
2.83 Papaikou Well, Big Island
The following numbers represent the strongest wind gusts (mph) as of Saturday evening:
27 Port Allen, Kauai
39 Oahu Forest NWR, Oahu
31 Molokai
31 Lanai
32 Kahoolawe
32 Maalaea Bay, Maui
31 Waikoloa, Big Island
Hawaii’s Mountains – Here’s a link to the live webcam on the summit of our tallest mountain Mauna Kea (nearly 13,800 feet high) on the Big Island of Hawaii. This webcam is available during the daylight hours here in the islands, and at night whenever there’s a big moon shining down. Also, at night you will be able to see the stars — and the sunrise and sunset too — depending upon weather conditions.
Aloha Paragraphs
A cold front is far northwest of Hawaii
Thunderstorms well offshore southwest, south and southeast
Variable clouds, showery clouds to the east
Showers mostly offshore at the moment – Looping radar image
Small Craft Advisory…all coasts and channels statewide
~~~ Hawaii Weather Narrative ~~~
The trade winds will prevail today. Here’s the latest weather map, showing a high pressure system well to our north-northeast, the source of our trade wind flow at the moment. At the same time, former tropical cyclone Ulika, now just a low level swirl of low pressure, is southeast of the islands. Our trade winds will hold on for the time being, and then weaken as they veer to the southeast early in the new week ahead. As the air flow gets all the way around to the southeast, our atmosphere will begin to feel rather sultry, and there will likely be some volcanic haze (vog) moving up over the smaller islands.
Here’s a wind profile of the offshore waters around the islands – with a closer view
Here’s the Hawaiian Islands Sulfate Aerosol animated graphic, showing vog forecast
Rainy weather on the horizon, some of which will be locally heavy beginning Monday. This will be partially associated with what is retired tropical cyclone Ulika. This area is currently located southeast of the Big Island, with the remnant moisture steadily moving in our direction. Meanwhile, there will be shower-enhancing low pressure over our area into the new week ahead. This combination of weather features will bring us off-and-on passing showers, some of which will be downpours. The bulk of the heaviest rains will wait to arrive in the Monday through Wednesday time frame, with flooding issues not out of the question. In sum, a wetter than normal pattern, with showers favoring the windward and mountain areas, although with rain reaching the leeward sides at times.
Marine environment details: Gusty trade winds associated with high pressure north of the region, will continue. The highest winds and seas are forecast across the typically windier locations between Molokai and the Big Island. The small craft advisory will remain in place for these windier zones through Sunday. Near advisory-level seas will be expected across the Alenuihaha Channel, and the waters south of the Big Island through this time. Winds and seas will begin to lower by Monday and Tuesday, as high pressure north of the region weakens.
Rough surf will persist along east facing shores, in response to slightly enhanced trades between former tropical cyclone Ulika, and high pressure to the north. Elsewhere, small surf is expected through the upcoming new week. Surf along north facing shores will likely build next weekend due to a gale area of winds, which is forecast to develop over the northwest Pacific Wednesday.
Friday Evening Film: My friend Jeff and several other friends of ours, went to see one of the new films that’s showing in Kahului. The film was called Miss Peregrine’s Home for Peculiar Children. It stars Samuel L. Jackson, Eva Green, Judi Dench, Rupert Everett, Terence Stamp, Kim Dickens, Asa Butterfield, Ella Purnell…among many others. The synopsis: from visionary director Tim Burton, and based upon the best-selling novel, comes an unforgettable motion picture experience. When Jake discovers clues to a mystery that spans different worlds and times, he finds a magical place known as Miss Peregrine’s Home for Peculiar Children. But the mystery and danger deepen as he gets to know the residents and learns about their special powers…and their powerful enemies. Ultimately, Jake discovers that only his own special “peculiarity” can save his new friends.
As it turned out, I really liked this film, even though I was a little concerned that I wouldn’t ahead of time. There were five of us that saw the film, with a rather wide range in likes and dislikes among us. There was an A grade, I gave it an A-, Jeff’s grade came in somewhere between a B+ and A-, and then a couple of lower grades. The film is a long one, running over two hours, although I liked every minute of it personally. I particularly enjoyed the sound track and the visual special effects, which were outstanding. It was a far fetched piece of work, no doubt about it. I was very happy to have seen this unusual film, full of a range of up and down emotions. If you’re interested, here’s the trailer to get an inside peek.
Off-an-on clouds and showers, mostly windward and mountains although not exclusively, some will be rather generous
World-wide tropical cyclone activity…
>>> Atlantic Ocean: No active tropical cyclones
1.) A broad low pressure system located about 600 miles east-northeast of the Leeward Islands continues to produce an area of showers and thunderstorms. Some development of this system is possible during the next couple of days before upper-level winds become less conducive for development. This system is expected to move west-northwestward or northwestward at 15 mph during the next several days.
* Formation chance through 48 hours…low…20 percent
* Formation chance through 5 days…low…30 percent
Here’s a satellite image of the Atlantic Ocean
>>> Caribbean:
Hurricane 14L (Matthew) is a dangerous category 4 major hurricane! Located approximately 315 miles south-southeast of Kingston, Jamaica. Here’s the NHC graphical track map, a satellite image, and what the computer models are showing
>>> Gulf of Mexico: No active tropical cyclones
Here’s a satellite image of the Caribbean Sea…and the Gulf of Mexico
Here’s the link to the National Hurricane Center (NHC)
>>> Eastern Pacific: No active tropical cyclones
Here’s a wide satellite image that covers the entire area between Mexico, out through the central Pacific…to the International Dateline.
Here’s the link to the National Hurricane Center (NHC)
>>> Central Pacific: No active tropical cyclones
Here’s a link to the Central Pacific Hurricane Center (CPHC)
Typhoon 21W (Chaba) remains active, located approximately 294 NM south-southeast of Kadena AB, Okinawa, Japan. Here’s the JTWC graphical track map, a satellite image, and what the computer models are showing
>>> South Pacific Ocean: No active tropical cyclones
>>> North and South Indian Oceans / Arabian Sea: No active tropical cyclones
Here’s a link to the Joint Typhoon Warning Center (JTWC)
Interesting: Potentially harmful chemicals widespread in household dust – Household dust exposes people to a wide range of toxic chemicals from everyday products, according to a study led by researchers at Milken Institute School of Public Health (Milken Institute SPH) at the George Washington University. The multi-institutional team conducted a first-of-a-kind meta-analysis, compiling data from dust samples collected throughout the United States to identify the top ten toxic chemicals commonly found in dust. They found that DEHP, a chemical belonging to a hazardous class called phthalates, was number one on that list. In addition, the researchers found that phthalates overall were found at the highest levels in dust followed by phenols and flame retardant chemicals.
“Our study is the first comprehensive analysis of consumer product chemicals found in household dust,” says lead author Ami Zota, ScD, MS, assistant professor of environmental and occupational health at Milken Institute SPH. “The findings suggest that people, and especially children, are exposed on a daily basis to multiple chemicals in dust that are linked to serious health problems.”
Chemicals from consumer products are released into the air and get into dust, which can settle on household items or on the floor. People can inhale or ingest small particles of dust or even absorb them through the skin. Infants and young children are particularly at risk for exposure to the chemicals found in dust because they crawl, play on dusty floors, and put their hands in their mouths, the authors say.
Zota and colleagues pooled data from 26 peer-reviewed papers and one unpublished dataset that analyzed dust samples taken from homes in 14 states. They found 45 potentially toxic chemicals that are used in many consumer and household products such as vinyl flooring, personal care and cleaning products, building materials and home furnishings. The meta-analysis combines information from smaller dust studies and thus offers solid conclusions with greater statistical power, the authors say.
The team found that:
- Ten harmful chemicals are found in ninety percent of the dust samples across multiple studies, including a known cancer-causing agent called TDCIPP. This flame retardant is frequently found in furniture, baby products and other household items.
- Indoor dust consistently contains four classes of harmful chemicals in high amounts. Phthalates, substances that are used to make cosmetics, toys, vinyl flooring, and other products, were found in the highest concentration with a mean of 7,682 nanograms per gram of dust-an amount that was several orders of magnitude above the others. Phenols, chemicals used in cleaning products and other household items, were the number two highest chemical class followed by flame retardants and highly fluorinated chemicals used to make non-stick cookware.
- Chemicals from dust are likely to get into young children’s bodies. A flame retardant added to couches, baby products, electronics and other products, TCEP, had the highest estimated intake followed by four phthalates–DEP, DEHP, BBzP and DnBP. The intake numbers in this study probably underestimate the true exposure to such chemicals, which are also found in products on the drug store shelf and even in fast food the authors say.
- Phthalates such as DEP, DEHP, DNBP, and DIBP, are not only found at the highest concentrations in dust but are associated with many serious health hazards. Phthalates are thought to interfere with hormones in the body and are linked to a wide range of health issues including declines in IQ and respiratory problems in children.
- Highly fluorinated chemicals such as PFOA and PFOS are also high on the potential harm scale. These types of chemicals, which are found in cell phones, pizza boxes, and many non-stick, waterproof and stain-resistant products have been linked to numerous health problems of the immune, digestive, developmental and endocrine systems.
- Small amounts can add up. Many of the chemicals in dust are linked to the same health hazards, such as cancer or developmental and reproductive toxicity, and may be acting together. Exposure to even small amounts of chemicals in combination can lead to an amplified health risk, especially for developing infants or young children, the authors say.
“The number and levels of toxic and untested chemicals that are likely in every one of our living rooms was shocking to me,” said co-author Veena Singla, PhD, staff scientist at the Natural Resources Defense Council. “Harmful chemicals used in everyday products and building materials result in widespread contamination of our homes–these dangerous chemicals should be replaced with safer alternatives,” Singla adds.
In the meantime, consumers who want to reduce their exposure to chemicals in household dust and the environment around them can take a few simple steps such as keeping dust levels low by using a strong vacuum with a HEPA filter; washing hands frequently; and avoiding personal care and household products that contain potentially dangerous chemicals.
“Consumers have the power to make healthier choices and protect themselves from harmful chemicals in everyday products,” says Robin Dodson, an environmental exposure scientist at Silent Spring Institute. “These things can make a real difference not only in their health but also in shifting the market toward safer products.”
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