Hawaiian Islands Weather Details & Aloha Paragraphs / January 11-12, 2017

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

81 – 63  Lihue, Kauai
81 – 66  Honolulu, Oahu
86 – 64  Kahului AP, Maui
82 – 69  Kona Int’l AP
81 – 67  Hilo AP, Hawaii

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

0.01  Kilohana, Kauai
0.01  Poamoho RG 1, Oahu
0.00  Molokai
0.00  Lanai
0.00  Kahoolawe
0.26  Hana AP, Maui
0.05  Saddle Quarry, Big Island

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

17  Moloaa Dairy, Kauai
07  Kii, Oahu
10  Molokai
15  Lanai
14  Kahoolawe
09  Kula 1, Maui
16  South Point, Big Island

Here’s a wind profile of the Pacific Ocean – Closer view of the islands – Here’s the Hawaiian Islands NOAA Vog model animation

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

Low pressure systems are active well north through northwest of the islands, while high pressure systems are located to our northeast, keeping light southeasterly breezes over the Hawaiian Islands…with volcanic haze

The next cold front is approaching to the northwest…with thunderstorms well south

Clear to partly cloudy, with showers associated with the approaching cold front…getting close to Kauai tonight into Thursday

Just a few showers – Looping radar image

High Surf Advisory…north and west facing shores of Kauai, and north shores of Oahu, Molokai and Maui

~~~ Hawaii Weather Narrative ~~~

The winds remain light over the state…with volcanic haze over many areas. Here’s the latest weather map, showing low pressure centers well to the north through northwest of Hawaii…with the next cold front approaching to the northwest of the islands. Meanwhile, we find high pressure systems to the northeast of the islands…with an associated ridge over the central islands. Low pressure systems and their associated cold fronts will keep the ridge of high pressure tamped-down over us…through the rest of the week. This is turn will keep our atmosphere stable, and at the same time keep volcanic haze (vog) over us as well. Looking even further ahead, we’ll see the return of trade winds early next week, which will help to whisk the voggy conditions away then. As these more normal trades fill back into the state, we’ll finally have much less stagnant weather conditions in place.

Mainly dry weather…although Kauai and perhaps Oahu might see an increase in showers Thursday. At the same time, there will be the chance of some minor afternoon upcountry showers here and there, especially on the eastern islands. Meanwhile, our atmosphere continues to be dry and stable, with any showers remaining light for the most part. Yet another cold front will approach the state Thursday, although will stop short of reaching Kauai. However, some prefrontal clouds may bring an increase in showers to Kauai and perhaps Oahu. As we push into the weekend, this dry and mild weather will continue over the islands. As the trade winds return early next week, there may be a few windward showers…although not many are expected.

Marine environment details: A new northwest swell will gradually fill in today, peak late tonight and Thursday, then lower gradually Thursday night and Friday. Surf heights are expected to remain below advisory levels.

A larger west-northwest swell is expected the arrive by Thursday night, peak late Friday and Friday night, then lower gradually over the weekend…and on into early next week. Surf heights are expected to reach warning levels during the peak of the swell along exposed north and west facing shores. Another large west-northwest swell is expected to arrive Tuesday night and Wednesday of next week. Surf heights with this swell are also expected to reach warning levels. Due to the more westerly direction of these swells there will be some shadowing from adjacent islands but some areas such as the west side of the Big Island will not be shadowed.

A small north-northeast swell is expected to linger today and Thursday before lowering on Friday. There will also be a series of small, mainly background south swells through the remainder of the week…and on into the weekend.

Winds are expected to remain below small craft advisory levels through the remainder of the week and on through the weekend. However, the above mentioned large west-northwest swells will cause seas to exceed small craft advisory levels over waters exposed to these swells.

 
January Full Moon…along with volcanic haze

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 the NOAA 2016 Hurricane Season Summary for the Eastern Pacific Basin

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 the NOAA 2016 Hurricane Season Summary for the Central Pacific Basin

Here’s a link to the Central Pacific Hurricane Center (CPHC)