Hawaiian Islands Weather Details & Aloha Paragraphs / November 21-22, 2016

Air Temperatures – The following maximum temperatures (F) were recorded across the state of Hawaii Monday along with the low temperatures Monday:

81 – 76  Lihue, Kauai
77 – 73  Honolulu, Oahu
81 – 73  Molokai AP
84 – 68  Kahului AP, Maui
85 – 73  Kailua Kona
76 – 69  Hilo AP, Hawaii

Here are the latest 24-hour precipitation totals (in inches) for each of the islands as of Monday evening:

3.36  Mount Waialeale, Kauai
4.97  Nuuanu Upper, Oahu
1.57  Molokai
0.08  Lanai
0.00  Kahoolawe
2.21  West Wailuaiki, Maui
3.55  Waiakea Experimental Stn, Big Island

The following numbers represent the strongest wind gusts (mph) as of Monday evening:

35  Poipu, Kauai
47  Oahu Forest NWR, Oahu
30  Molokai
33  Lanai
39  Kahoolawe
33  Maalaea Bay, Maui
28  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

There’s a storm low pressure system in the Gulf of Alaska, far north of Hawaii, with an associated cold front well offshore to our north and northwest

High or low level clouds in all directions

Low clouds are contributing to partly to mostly cloudy skies, being carried over the islands by the blustery trade wind flow…with considerable high cirrus clouds looming just south and southwest

Showers falling locally, some are moderately heavy – Looping radar image

Small Craft Advisory…all Hawaiian coasts and channels (25-33 knots) 

High Surf Advisory…east facing shores of Kauai, Oahu, Molokai, Maui and the Big Island

Gale Warning…Maalaea Bay, Pailolo and Alenuihaha Channels, leeward and southeastern waters around the Big Island – starting Tuesday morning (34-47 knots)

Wind Advisory…mainly across and downslope from steep terrain…along with exposed windward shorelines (25-30 with gusts over 40 mph) 

~~~ Hawaii Weather Narrative ~~~

Trade winds increasing significantly through the rest of the week. Here’s the latest weather map, showing high pressure systems northeast and north of Hawaii. These high pressure cells will keep our trade winds active, with no end in sight from this vantage point. The strongest trade wind speeds through the next week will occur Tuesday through Friday. This unusually windy weather will bring 50-60 mph wind gusts to some parts of the island chain. These conditions will very likely lead to Wind Advisories over the islands at times, and Gale Warnings are already active over the eastern islands. These blustery winds should begin to ease up later in the upcoming weekend, although continue from the trade wind direction into at least early next week.

Here’s a wind profile of the offshore waters around the islands – and a closer look

Here’s the Hawaiian Islands Sulfate Aerosol animated graphic, showing vog forecast

Windward showers locally, quite numerous at times, while the leeward sides will see fewer showers in general. A windy and wet trade wind weather pattern can be expected over the next several days. Showers will tend to favor windward and mountain areas, although the winds will be sufficiently strong to blow some showers over the leeward areas at times too. Besides the showery low clouds there will also be an abundant amount of high cirrus clouds passing over the area. These will filter and dim our Hawaiian sunshine, and may bring colorful sunset and sunrise colors at times. A bit drier weather is expected toward the weekend.

Marine environment details: A Gale Warning has been posted for the typically windy waters around Maui County and the Big island, with a Small Craft Advisory posted for all other Hawaiian coastal waters. These conditions will likely linger through the remainder of the week.

High surf can be expected along east facing shores this week, due to the strong trade winds with conditions being rather rough and choppy at most locations.

Surf along most north and west facing shores will be lower than average for this time of year, as the strong high pressure system to our north causes the storm track to be further north than normal. There will be a series of small north and northwest swells this week but surf heights will remain well below advisory levels.

Windy with showers arriving at times, mostly along our windward sides

World-wide tropical cyclone activity…

>>> Atlantic Ocean: No active tropical cyclones

Here’s a satellite image of the Atlantic Ocean

>>> Caribbean:

Tropical Storm 16L (Ott0) is active over the southern Caribbean Sea, here’s the NHC graphical track map, with 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)