Air Temperatures – The following maximum temperatures (F) were recorded across the state of Hawaii Saturday along with the low temperatures Saturday:
81 – 67 Lihue, Kauai
82 – 69 Honolulu, Oahu
83 – 66 Molokai AP
85 – 68 Kahului AP, Maui
84 – 70 Kailua Kona
74 – 67 Hilo AP, Hawaii
Here are the latest 24-hour precipitation totals (in inches) for each of the islands as of Saturday evening:
2.60 Mount Waialeale, Kauai
1.60 Manoa Lyon Arboretum, Oahu
0.12 Molokai
0.00 Lanai
0.00 Kahoolawe
0.93 West Wailuaiki, Maui
2.84 Saddle Quarry, Big Island
The following numbers represent the strongest wind gusts (mph) as of Saturday evening:
14 Waimea Heights, Kauai
15 Kuaokala, Oahu
10 Molokai
16 Lanai
12 Kahoolawe
20 Maalaea Bay, Maui
21 Kaupulehu, 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
Unsettled weather conditions prevail over and around the islands
A trough of low pressure north is slowly moving away…while a second trough to our west will become the primary force over the next few days
A mix of clear and cloudy skies
Still some showers…although most of it remains over the nearby ocean at the time of this writing – Looping radar image
Small Craft Advisory…most coasts and channels (25-30 knots)
High Surf Advisory…east facing shores of the Big Island
Flash Flood Watch…all islands through today
Winter Storm Watch… (webcam Mauna Kea)
~~~ Hawaii Weather Narrative ~~~
Our winds will remain generally quite light. Here’s the latest weather map, showing our primary high pressure system far northeast of Hawaii, along with a very strong near 1040 millibar high pressure cell far north. We still have Small Craft Advisories posted over most of our coastal and channel waters across the state. The winds are lighter this weekend, which are slated to continue into the new week. Thus, winds won’t be an issue in most cases, except where stronger gusts develop in associated with random thunderstorms. There will be volcanic haze being carried over the smaller islands by the southeasterly breezes…coming up from the Big Island vents.
Here’s a wind profile of the offshore waters around the islands – and a closer look
Waves of unsettled weather will continue across the islands. Showers will be hit and miss for the most part, along with heavy rains and thunderstorms here and there at times…thanks to a couple of upper level troughs of low pressure lingering near the state. We’ll find abundant moisture being drawn up from the deeper tropics, along with the potential for excessive rains and flooding at times. There will be periodic breaks in this wet weather, although inclement conditions are expected through much of the new week, with increased rain chances at times. Some of you may be wondering is this unusual? Well, December and January are definitely in the heart of our annual rainy season.
Weather models are keeping rain in the forecast…through much of the next week. They show another upper level trough of low pressure developing west of the islands during the first half of the week. These models show deep southerly and southeasterly winds drawing tropical moisture back into the area Wednesday through Friday, after a possible short break later Monday into Tuesday. We can expect unsettled conditions, and higher than normal rain chances, with locally heavy precipitation and thunderstorms at times too. It will be awhile before we find a typical trade wind weather pattern in charge again.
Marine environment details: East facing shores remain under a High Surf Advisory through tonight, due to a moderate east swell. Buoys exposed to this swell continue to be active, although this swell will decrease over the next couple of days.
A Small Craft Advisory (SCA) for most waters will remain posted through tonight, due to a combination of the east swell and a moderate northwest swell. The SCA and High Surf Advisory are likely to be dropped early Sunday morning. Winds will be light and variable through much of the week. Surf is expected to remain below High Surf Advisory levels through the forecast period.
Unsettled weather across the islands is expected through Sunday night due to an upper level trough passing over the area. Heavy rain and thunderstorms will be possible.
~~~ Saturday Evening Film, La Vien Rose, starring Marion Cotillard
Off and on wet weather this weekend
World-wide tropical cyclone activity…with storms showing up when active
>>> Atlantic Ocean: The 2016 hurricane season has ended
Here’s a satellite image of the Atlantic Ocean
>>> Caribbean: The 2016 hurricane season has ended
>>> Gulf of Mexico: The 2016 hurricane season has ended
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: The 2016 hurricane season has ended
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: The 2016 hurricane season has ended
Here’s a link to the Central Pacific Hurricane Center (CPHC)
>>> 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: Four of the world’s largest cities announced Friday that they will ban diesel cars by 2025 in an effort to cut air pollution. – Leaders from Paris, Madrid, Athens, and Mexico City made the declaration at the C40 Mayors Summit, a biennial meeting of civic leaders concerned about climate change.
Toxic air is responsible for an estimated 3 million premature deaths each year, according to recent research by the World Health Organization.
While diesel engines burn fuel more efficiently and therefore release less carbon dioxide, they do produce nitrogen dioxide and particulates that can inflame and damage people’s lungs.
“Mayors have already stood up to say that climate change is one of the greatest challenges we face,” said Anne Hidalgo, the mayor of Paris.
“Today, we also stand up to say we no longer tolerate air pollution and the health problems and deaths it causes.”
Email Glenn James: 
woody adamz Says:
Aloha Glen, I notice that most of E. Pac.and Western Mainland weather has a circular pattern to it, as did many that were in N.E.Pac (Bering Sea down to Wash/Oregon for the last month. Are these like giant hurricane systems that can’t form because they’re “too far out of season”….Your expertise and insights are appreciated….We’re still “Ducky” here in Ainaloa (Top Road next to Forest Reserve) also….I notice you’re well “socked in” where you are too. Good Luck widdit.
~~~ Hi Woody, those circular patterns are normal this time of year, as wintery gale and storm low pressure systems far north of here, at higher latitudes of the north Pacific…run the show up there.
In addition, the high pressure systems up there are stronger during the late fall and winter months as well…contributing their dynamics to the world’s weather too.
No they are not hurricanes, although rotate in the same way, being low pressure systems…counter-clockwise. These big storms are definitely “in season” this time of year.
Hawaii is on the far southern boundary of all the action further north. We need these systems to bring us rain during the winter months, so we can make it through our generally drier summer season.
Hang in there Woody, more rain on the horizon!
Aloha, Glenn
Helen Says:
Snow on Mauna Kea !!
~~~ Hi Helen, indeed…with more expected to pile up this weekend!
Aloha, Glenn