Kailua-kona - 71F
Kahului, Maui - 64

Precipitation Totals – The following numbers represent the largest precipitation totals (inches) during the last 24 hours on each of the major islands, as of Wednesday morning:

0.02 MOLOAA DAIRY, KAUAI
0.03 KUA RANGE, OAHU
0.00 MOLOKAI
0.00 LANAI
0.00 KAHOOLAWE
0.02 OHEO GULCH, MAUI
0.05 POHAKULOA KIPUKA ALALA, BIG ISLAND

Weather Chart – Here’s the latest (automatically updated) weather map…showing a ridge now back down over the state of Hawaii, where it will keep light SE breezes in place Wednesday. Thursday will find winds gradually turning to the south during the day ahead of an active Pacific cold front approaching from the NW.  Here’s a Weather Map Symbol page for clarification about what all those weather symbols mean on the map.

Hawaii’s Mountains – Here’s a link to the live webcam on the summit of near 14,000 foot Mauna Kea on the Big Island of Hawaii. The tallest peak on the island of Maui is the Haleakala Crater, which is near 10,000 feet in elevation. These two webcams are available during the daylight hours here in the islands…and when there’s a big moon rising just after sunset for an hour or two! Plus, during the nights and early mornings you will be able to see stars, and the sunrise too…depending upon cloud conditions.

Satellite Images – To view the cloud conditions we have here in Hawaii, please use the following satellite links, starting off with the Infrared Satellite Image of the islands to see all the clouds around the state during the day and night. This next image is one that gives close images of the islands only during the daytime hours, and is referred to as a Close-up visible image. This next image shows a larger view of the Pacific…giving perspective to the wider ranging cloud patterns in the Pacific Ocean…out from the islands. To help you keep track of where any showers may be around the islands, here’s the latest animated radar image. 

Aloha Paragraphs


The end of another beautiful day on Maui
Photo Credit: flikr.com

A ridge of high pressure is now parked near the island of Kauai, which will keep fine weather around into Wednesday.  Our local atmosphere remains somewhat hazy with such a light wind flow.  As the winds turn SE soon, they will bring volcanic haze up over some parts of the state from the Big Island as well. Mornings will dawn clear just about everywhere, and on the cool side too. As the sun rises higher in the sky during the later mornings, the daytime heating will prompt onshore sea breezes, which will carry moisture from the ocean up along the volcanic slopes…where clouds will form during the late morning through the afternoon hours. There will be some mostly light showers falling around the mountains, but nothing heavy is expected.

There will start to be some changes in our local Hawaiian weather picture Thursday. An upper level trough of low pressure is expected to approach the islands then, which will have an associated surface cold front moving along with it. As this trough gets closer later Thursday and Friday, the high pressure ridge will get pushed down over the Big Island…or even south of there. This will cause our winds to become SE to SW ahead of the cold front. The latest thought is that there will be some prefrontal showers before the front itself arrives this weekend. The front and prefrontal showers will likely merge by the weekend…with some of combined showers becoming locally heavy. Kauai down through Maui will likely see the most generous rainfall. The models now show another cold front approaching the islands next week, with the chance of another round of showers later in the week…with nice weather between the two cold fronts.

It’s early Tuesday evening here in Kula, Maui, as I begin writing this sunset commentary.  Yet another very nice day here in the Aloha state. The trade winds came up just enough to limit the afternoon cumulus cloud buildups around the mountains in many areas. The local beaches were mostly sunny, with some afternoon clouds around locally…although almost completely dry. I didn’t make it to the beach today, but I could sure feel it tugging on me! I finally found out how to fix the long list of reponses on the bottom of this page, so that you won’t have to scroll down a hundred miles to the bottom…to see the latest entries. Tomorrow morning I will begin archiving my narratives again, so that you can go back and find prior narratives, and the pictures on the narrative pages too. Additionally I was able to join the windsurfing and kiteboarding pages together on the left hand column, and soon there will be a picture of yours truly on the upper left hand side of this page as well. I don’t feel completely comfortable having my picture showing, although through the years I have been asked so many times, that I finally decided to go ahead and put it up there. At any rate, look for these changes soon. I hope you have a great Tuesday night, and that you might join me here again on Wednesday for the next edition of this narrative from paradise. Aloha for now…Glenn.

Kaneohe, Oahu - 72F
Kahului, Maui – 63

Precipitation Totals – The following numbers represent the largest precipitation totals (inches) during the last 24 hours on each of the major islands, as of Friday morning:

0.72 KOKEE, KAUAI
3.91 OAHU FOREST NWR, OAHU
0.75 MOLOKAI
0.10 LANAI
0.01 KAHOOLAWE
2.12 WEST WAILUAIKI, MAUI
0.25 HONOKAA, BIG ISLAND

Weather Chart – Here’s the latest (automatically updated) weather map…showing high pressure centers to the north and far NE of the islands. This will lead to moderately strong trade winds today and Saturday. Here’s a Weather Map Symbol page for clarification about what all those weather symbols mean on the map.

Hawaii’s Mountains – Here’s a link to the live webcam on the summit of near 14,000 foot Mauna Kea on the Big Island of Hawaii. The tallest peak on the island of Maui is the Haleakala Crater, which is near 10,000 feet in elevation. These two webcams are available during the daylight hours here in the islands…and when there’s a big moon rising just after sunset for an hour or two! Plus, during the nights and early mornings you will be able to see stars, and the sunrise too…depending upon cloud conditions.

Satellite Images – To view the cloud conditions we have here in Hawaii, please use the following satellite links, starting off with the Infrared Satellite Image of the islands to see all the clouds around the state during the day and night. This next image is one that gives close images of the islands only during the daytime hours, and is referred to as a Close-up visible image. This next image shows a larger view of the Pacific…giving perspective to the wider ranging cloud patterns in the Pacific Ocean…out from the islands. To help you keep track of where any showers may be around the islands, here’s the latest animated radar image. 

Aloha Paragraphs

         

                             
 
A cold front is moving down through the Hawaiian Islands Thursday, bringing most of the showers to the windward sides (although a few will be carried leeward in places) …along with cool north winds. The latest computer forecast models show the front stalling over the Big Island Thursday night. Meanwhile, a cool surge of northerly winds is flooding into the state in the wake of the frontal passage. These chilly north winds will veer around to the NE direction, and keep cool showers falling along the windward and north facing slopes into Friday. 

As we move into the weekend, the winds will continue to ease back in strength, becoming light to moderate easterly trade winds. Our weather will return to the more normal realms, with just a few windward showers falling, mostly during the night and early morning hours. In contrast, the leeward sides will be quite sunny, with no precipitation expected whatsoever. Looking ahead into the New Years holiday period, there doesn’t seem to be any threat of inclement weather in the forecast.  

The big news in the marine environment, is the very large surf that will be breaking through the next couple of days along our north and NW facing beaches. The same storm that has sent us our cold front, has also sent us an unusually large swell train of waves as well. Those north facing beaches have a high surf warning in force now. I highly recommend using extreme caution when going near these beaches, as the waves will be rough and choppy. Too often we hear about people being swept into the ocean by these waves!

It’s early Thursday evening here in Kula, Maui, as I begin writing this cloudy sunset commentary.  The frontal cloud band ran right down through Kauai, Oahu, and the islands of Maui County Thursday…and was stalling over the north side of the Big Island late in the day. There were several places over the mountains of both Kauai and Oahu, which picked up 1-2+ inch rainfall amounts. This isn’t all that unusual, so that the gusty northerly winds behind the front became the most notable weather feature today. The strongest wind speed that I saw was the rather impressive 46 mph gust on the island of Lanai! The moisture brought into the state by this band of clouds will remain hung up along the windward sides of the islands, especially from Maui up through Molokai and Oahu into Friday. Conditions will likely improve rapidly along the resort filled leeward coasts, where lots of sunshine will prevail Friday into the weekend and beyond. As I was driving home from work today, I passed through an area of drizzle around Pukalani, which was being blown over from the Makawao and Haiku areas. There were lots of colorful rainbows gracing the views east of the Haleakala Highway, which I’m sure were being enjoyed by the commuters driving to their upcountry homes…I sure liked seeing them. It appears that the winds are quickly turning to the NE and east, so that the well advertised cool weather will be rather shortlived as it turns out. I hope you have a fine Thursday night, and that you will join me here again on Friday. I’ll have your next weather narrative online early in the morning. Aloha for now…Glenn.

Note: If you leave a response in the box below, and come back and don’t see it, or the reply that I have added, please click Archived Narratives, and find the date that you left your response.  If you just want to go back and find a past narrative, or see some other pictures…you can find them in the archived area as well.

Kailua-kona - 73F
Hilo airport – 65

Precipitation Totals – The following numbers represent the largest precipitation totals (inches) during the last 24 hours on each of the major islands, as of Thursday morning:

0.90 KOKEE, KAUAI
0.04 KII, OAHU
0.00 MOLOKAI
0.00 LANAI
0.00 KAHOOLAWE
0.23 OHEO GULCH, MAUI
0.24 GLENWOOD, BIG ISLAND

Weather Chart – Here’s the latest (automatically updated) weather map…showing a shearline cloud band moving down through the state Thursday. A following high pressure system will send a surge of cool north winds into the state, gradually turning to the NE and easing up a little Friday.  Here’s a Weather Map Symbol page for clarification about what all those weather symbols mean on the map.

Hawaii’s Mountains – Here’s a link to the live webcam on the summit of near 14,000 foot Mauna Kea on the Big Island of Hawaii. The tallest peak on the island of Maui is the Haleakala Crater, which is near 10,000 feet in elevation. These two webcams are available during the daylight hours here in the islands…and when there’s a big moon rising just after sunset for an hour or two! Plus, during the nights and early mornings you will be able to see stars, and the sunrise too…depending upon cloud conditions.

Satellite Images – To view the cloud conditions we have here in Hawaii, please use the following satellite links, starting off with the Infrared Satellite Image of the islands to see all the clouds around the state during the day and night. This next image is one that gives close images of the islands only during the daytime hours, and is referred to as a Close-up visible image. This next image shows a larger view of the Pacific…giving perspective to the wider ranging cloud patterns in the Pacific Ocean…out from the islands. To help you keep track of where any showers may be around the islands, here’s the latest animated radar image. 

Aloha Paragraphs

          

                             
 
A cold front will arrive over Kauai Wednesday night , then ride down into the rest of the state during the day Thursday. This isn’t expected to be a strong frontal cloud band, and is actually being billed as a weak cold front by the NWS. Nonetheless, it will bring in a period of increasing clouds and showers…although the bulk of that moisture will be restricted to the windward coasts and slopes. Some drizzle or mist, or even a few light showers may stray over into the leeward sides locally.

The latest computer forecast models show the front stalling over Maui later Thursday…although it may sneak down as far as the Big Island before skidding to a stop.  Either way, it will slow its forward progress over the southern islands later Thursday. Meanwhile, a cool surge of northerly winds will flood into the state in the wake of the frontal passage. I use the word cool in a tropical sense of course, although it will provide a definite chill for island residents and visitors alike…a wintery weather episode for a couple of days.

These chilly north winds will gradually veer around to the NE direction, and keep cool showers falling along the windward and north facing slopes into Friday.  The leeward sides may see a few light showers Thursday with the frontal passage, but then become dry again by Friday. Looking further ahead, the blustery north and NE winds will start to diminish this coming weekend, and be light already by New Years Eve day into the first day of 2007. Weather should be pretty good by then, although with the light winds, we could see some accumulation of haze, augmented by the smoke from all the various fireworks displays. 

It’s early Wednesday evening here in Kula, Maui, as I begin writing this sunset commentary.  It was a fabulous day here in the islands, as folks (I hope) took full advantage of this last day of warm and sunny weather. I sure did that, by going to the beach during my lunch break. I found hardly a breath of wind, and sunny skies, making for an absolutely perfect experience. The ocean was SO CLEAR, it was almost like swimming in a fresh water pool! There were a few tiny little waves, but I managed to catch a couple of very small ones into shore. The beach was packed with visitors from the mainland, and locals too. The afternoon turned out to be almost cloud free here on Maui, and now, just after sunset, there’s the most pleasant pink afterglow. My wind chimes are starting to sing, in anticipation of the notably stronger north winds…which will follow closely in the wake of the shower bearing cold front that will be sweeping down through the island chain through Thursday. I recommend grabbing that extra blanket for the chilly weather that will be around Thursday and Friday nights. I hope you have a great Wednesday night, and will meet me here again on Thursday. Aloha for now…Glenn.

Note: If you leave a response in the box below, and come back and don’t see it, or the reply that I have added, please click Archived Narratives, and find the date that you left your response.  If you just want to go back and find a past narrative, or see some other pictures…you can find them in the archived area as well.

Honolulu, Oahu-  72F
Molokai airport – 64F

Precipitation Totals – The following numbers represent the largest precipitation totals (inches) during the last 24 hours on each of the major islands, as of Wednesday morning:

0.27 WAINIHA, KAUAI
1.29 AHUIMANU LOOP, OAHU
0.05 MOLOKAI
0.00 LANAI
0.00 KAHOOLAWE
0.09 OHEO GULCH, MAUI
0.02 WAIAKEA UKA, BIG ISLAND

Weather Chart – Here’s the latest (automatically updated) weather map…showing a 1028 millibar high pressure system located far to the NE…moving away towards the NW coast of California. Winds will be light Wednesday, with a surge of cool north winds flooding into the state Thursday behind a cold front that will sweep into the state. Here’s a Weather Map Symbol page for clarification about what all those weather symbols mean on the map.

Hawaii’s Mountains – Here’s a link to the live webcam on the summit of near 14,000 foot Mauna Kea on the Big Island of Hawaii. The tallest peak on the island of Maui is the Haleakala Crater, which is near 10,000 feet in elevation. These two webcams are available during the daylight hours here in the islands…and when there’s a big moon rising just after sunset for an hour or two! Plus, during the nights and early mornings you will be able to see stars, and the sunrise too…depending upon cloud conditions.

Satellite Images – To view the cloud conditions we have here in Hawaii, please use the following satellite links, starting off with the Infrared Satellite Image of the islands to see all the clouds around the state during the day and night. This next image is one that gives close images of the islands only during the daytime hours, and is referred to as a Close-up visible image. This next image shows a larger view of the Pacific…giving perspective to the wider ranging cloud patterns in the Pacific Ocean…out from the islands. To help you keep track of where any showers may be around the islands, here’s the latest animated radar image. 

Aloha Paragraphs

          

                             

The weather here in the islands will remain nice for the next two days, then become windier starting Thursday.  The trade winds will continue to be the dominant weather influence as we through the next several days. These trade winds will blow mostly in the light 5-15 mph category, although there will be some localized breezy conditions during the afternoons here and there. These balmy trade wind breezes aren’t expected to change much in character through Wednesday. As we move into the second half of the week however, our trade wind speeds will surge in strength…only to calm down again by New Years Eve day.
 
The showery weather we saw along Maui’s windward sides Christmas day, has slipped away, leaving better weather in its wake. The latest computer forecast model output keeps a more or less dry weather pattern in place through Wednesday. The second half of the week should see some increase in showers, but the vast majority of those showers will spill along the windward coasts and slopes. As usual, the resort filled leeward sections will continue to see more or less pleasant weather.  

As you just read in the two paragraphs leading down to this one…we have some changes coming our way starting Thursday. A weak cold front will work its way down through the state Wednesday night through Thursday night. The windward sides of the islands will find the greatest change from this very pleasant weather pattern we have going on now. The long and short of this will be that the trade winds will become stronger, and the windward sides will find a period of showers moving in.

It’s late Tuesday afternoon here in Kula, Maui, as I start writing this pre-sunset commentary. Reflecting back on my Christmas Day, I feel fortunate that I had close friends to be with. I started by by making my neighbors a hearty breakfast, followed by a frothy cappucino. I had time to relax and open my many presents before heading into the misty weather in Makawao, for an outdoor bbq with another set of friends. A bunch of us ate outside on the picnic table, under a big mango tree…with drops of water falling down on us, but somehow no one really paid that much attention. Then I drove deeper into the showers, heading for another set of friends in Haiku. We had a small intimate dinner, with turkey and all the fixin’s, followed by cakes and decaffe coffee. I drove back up to Kula after a full days worth of relating and eating, and rejoicing the season. Today I had off from work, and have luxuriated on the couch mostly, catching up on lots of reading material. I’ll be back to work Wednesday, so will have your next weather narrative waiting for you in the morning. I won’t have the TV weather show to do, so I’ll be getting up an hour later than usual. I hope you have a great Tuesday night! Aloha for now…Glenn. 

Note: If you leave a response in the box below, and come back and don’t see it, or the reply that I have added, please click Archived Narratives, and find the date that you left your response.  If you just want to go back and find a past narrative, or see some other pictures…you can find them in the archived area as well.

Kailua-kona – 70F
Kalaeloa, Oahu - 62F

Precipitation Totals – The following numbers represent the largest precipitation totals (inches) during the last 24 hours on each of the major islands, as of Friday morning:

0.20 ANAHOLA, KAUAI
0.85 OAHU FOREST NWR, OAHU
0.04 MOLOKAI
0.03 LANAI
0.02 KAHOOLAWE
0.18 OHEO GULCH, MAUI
0.11 PIIHONUA, BIG ISLAND

Weather Chart – Here’s the latest (automatically updated) weather map…showing high pressure systems located far to the ENE and WNW…with their associated ridges extending in the direction of the islands. The net result will be for light trade winds through Saturday…locally breezy during the afternoons in the southern part of the state. Here’s a Weather Map Symbol page for clarification about what all those weather symbols mean on the map.

Hawaii’s Mountains – Here’s a link to the live webcam on the summit of near 14,000 foot Mauna Kea on the Big Island of Hawaii. The tallest peak on the island of Maui is the Haleakala Crater, which is near 10,000 feet in elevation. These two webcams are available during the daylight hours here in the islands…and when there’s a big moon rising just after sunset for an hour or two! Plus, during the nights and early mornings you will be able to see stars, and the sunrise too…depending upon cloud conditions.

Satellite Images – To view the cloud conditions we have here in Hawaii, please use the following satellite links, starting off with the Infrared Satellite Image of the islands to see all the clouds around the state during the day and night. This next image is one that gives close images of the islands only during the daytime hours, and is referred to as a Close-up visible image. This next image shows a larger view of the Pacific…giving perspective to the wider ranging cloud patterns in the Pacific Ocean…out from the islands. To help you keep track of where any showers may be around the islands, here’s the latest animated radar image. 

Aloha Paragraphs

            

                             

The balmy trade winds will continue to grace all of the Hawaiian Islands…as we enter into our winter season.  The trade winds will remain the dominant weather influence as we move steadily towards the Christmas holidays. These trade winds will blow mostly in the light 5-20 mph category, although there will be some localized gustiness during the afternoons in some locations. A trade wind producing high pressure ridge will remain to our north. This pleasant reality is forecast to last through the rest of this week, into early next week. 
 
A minor cloud band moved into the state recently, bringing a few showers to the windward sides, and around the moutains.  This was a minor blip on the radar screen however, and we will settle right back into a more or less dry weather pattern. As described above, we will continue to have high pressure to our north…as well as a high pressure ridge aloft. The combination will keep shower activity minimized. The leeweard sides will be dry, while the windward sides may see an occasional light shower falling here and there. 

It’s early Thursday evening here in Kula, Maui, as I begin writing this last sunset commentary.  As many of your know I’ve been working at the Pacific Disaster Center for the last 10+ years. Through that time I’ve seen so many people come, and quite a few folks have left too. Today I had lunch with one fellow who was hired just after I was, a sort of going away luncheon at a Thai restaurant in Kihei. He’s moving back to Virginia with his family, and I will miss his friendship. Life is strange, it allows us to get close to it, and the people we get involved with. Then it has the habit of taking those things away again, leaving us feeling sad at times. I will stay in touch with him of course, but there will be a hole at the work place…and next month another very good friend who works there will be leaving for Australia too. At any rate, moving on, as I was driving home this evening, coming up through the pasturelands between Pukalani and Kula, I had a cock Pheasant fly right over my car, and then not more than 5 seconds later a Hawaiian Owl, better known here in the islands as a Pueo…fly right over me. Perhaps this was some sort of symbolic departure, of my two close friends who are flying away!? I’m running a little late this evening, so better get downstairs and have my dinner, do some reading, and then bed down for the night, as 4am Friday morning will come early.  I hope you have a good Thursday night! Aloha for now…Glenn.

Note: If you leave a response in the box below, and come back and don’t see it, or the reply that I have added, please click here Archived Narratives, and find the date that you left your response.  If you just want to go back and find a past narrative, or see the pictures of that day…you can find them in the archived area as well.

Kaneohe, Oahu – 72F
Hilo, Hawaii – 64F

Precipitation Totals – The following numbers represent the largest precipitation totals (inches) during the last 24 hours on each of the major islands, as of Thursday morning:

0.17 MOUNT WAIALEALE, KAUAI
0.46 WILSON TUNNEL, OAHU
0.07 MOLOKAI
0.02 LANAI
0.09 KAHOOLAWE
0.19 WEST WAILUAIKI, MAUI
0.22 GLENWOOD, BIG ISLAND

Weather Chart – Here’s the latest (automatically updated) weather map…showing a 1028 millibar high pressure system far to the ENE, with its associated ridge extending westward…running by to the north of Kauai. The net result will be for light trade winds through Friday…locally gusty during the afternoons in the southern part of the state.  Here’s a Weather Map Symbol page for clarification about what all those weather symbols mean on the map.

Hawaii’s Mountains – Here’s a link to the live webcam on the summit of near 14,000 foot Mauna Kea on the Big Island of Hawaii. The tallest peak on the island of Maui is the Haleakala Crater, which is near 10,000 feet in elevation. These two webcams are available during the daylight hours here in the islands…and when there’s a big moon rising just after sunset for an hour or two! Plus, during the nights and early mornings you will be able to see stars, and the sunrise too…depending upon cloud conditions.

Satellite Images – To view the cloud conditions we have here in Hawaii, please use the following satellite links, starting off with the Infrared Satellite Image of the islands to see all the clouds around the state during the day and night. This next image is one that gives close images of the islands only during the daytime hours, and is referred to as a Close-up visible image. This next image shows a larger view of the Pacific…giving perspective to the wider ranging cloud patterns in the Pacific Ocean…out from the islands. To help you keep track of where any showers may be around the islands, here’s the latest animated radar image. 

Aloha Paragraphs

         

                             

There seems to be no end to the great weather conditions that we have lined up ahead of us here in the islands!  The trade winds will be our most influential weather feature as we head towards the Christmas holidays. These trade winds will blow mostly in the light 5-15 mph category, although there will be some localized gustiness during the afternoons in some locations. A trade wind producing high pressure ridge will remain to our north. This pleasant reality is forecast to last through the rest of this week, into early next week. 
 
There will be some clouds around, most notably along the windward coasts and slopes, although not many showers are expected.  As described above, we will continue to have high pressure to our north…as well as a high pressure ridge aloft. The combination will keep shower activity minimized. The leeweard sides will be dry, dry, and more dry! The windward sides may see an occasional light shower, but nothing anywhere near heavy is indicated. 

It’s early Wednesday evening here in Kula, Maui, as I begin writing this sunset commentary.  As I was driving home from work today, I happened to notice a fire burning up in the West Maui Mountains, in the general area that had large, out of control, fires this past summer. It was a relatively small spot of flames, but as these things go…who knows how large it could become. When I got home, I went out on my weather deck and tried to spot it, but couldn’t…so lets hope for the best. Today during my lunch break from work, I got down to a local beach in Kihei, and found lots and lots of folks stretched out from one end of the beach to the other. There must be the whole holiday visitor crew here in the islands now, and they were taking full advantage of the sunny day! There were a few small waves breaking, which was fun for me…and a lot of people seemed to be trying to ride this small surf all along the beach as well. As mentioned in the more weather related paragraphs above, we continue to glide through day after day of great weather…with no end in sight. Actually, the computer forecast models are now showing a cold front swinging down through the state later next week, but lets not get too serious about that prospect of increased showers, until the models have a chance to sort out all the details over the next several days. I hope you have a great Wednesday night, and that you will meet me back here again on Thursday, which will end up being the first day of winter 2006. Aloha for now…Glenn.  

Kaneohe, Oahu – 74F
Kahului, Maui – 63F

Precipitation Totals – The following numbers represent the largest precipitation totals (inches) during the last 24 hours on each of the major islands, as of Wednesday morning:

0.08 MOUNT WAIALEALE, KAUAI
0.05 DILLINGHAM, OAHU
0.00 MOLOKAI
0.00 LANAI
0.00 KAHOOLAWE
0.07 WEST WAILUAIKI, MAUI
0.16 PAHOA, BIG ISLAND

Weather Chart – Here’s the latest (automatically updated) weather map…showing a 1029 millibar high pressure system far to the ENE, with its associated ridge extending westward…running by to the north of Kauai. The net result will be for light trade winds through Thursday…locally gusty during the afternoons in the southern part of the state.  Here’s a Weather Map Symbol page for clarification about what all those weather symbols mean on the map.

Hawaii’s Mountains – Here’s a link to the live webcam on the summit of near 14,000 foot Mauna Kea on the Big Island of Hawaii. The tallest peak on the island of Maui is the Haleakala Crater, which is near 10,000 feet in elevation. These two webcams are available during the daylight hours here in the islands…and when there’s a big moon rising just after sunset for an hour or two! Plus, during the nights and early mornings you will be able to see stars, and the sunrise too…depending upon cloud conditions.

Satellite Images – To view the cloud conditions we have here in Hawaii, please use the following satellite links, starting off with the Infrared Satellite Image of the islands to see all the clouds around the state during the day and night. This next image is one that gives close images of the islands only during the daytime hours, and is referred to as a Close-up visible image. This next image shows a larger view of the Pacific…giving perspective to the wider ranging cloud patterns in the Pacific Ocean…out from the islands. To help you keep track of where any showers may be around the islands, here’s the latest animated radar image. 

Aloha Paragraphs

      

                             

Balmy trade wind breezes will grace the Hawaiian Islands, as we head towards the Christmas holiday.  These trade winds will blow mostly in the light 5-15 mph category, although there may be some localized gustiness during the afternoons in some locations. Our trade wind producing high pressure ridge will remain to our north for the most part. When it gets forced southward very near us, our winds will be lightest. As it bounces northward a little, our trade winds will strengthen a touch. This pleasant reality is forecast to last through the rest of this week, into early next week. 
 
The overlying atmosphere remains very dry and stable, keeping showers to a bare minimum.  Computer models and forecast weather charts, strongly suggest that this week will be quite dry, with hardly a sprinkle falling anywhere. We’ll have a surface high pressure ridge just to the north of the state, with a high pressure ridge aloft as well. The combination will keep shower activity absent for the most part. I think everyone will agree, that this favorably inclined prospect sounds pretty good! Days will be warm, with the nights seasonably cool…in the tropical sense of the word.

It’s early Tuesday evening here in Kula, Maui, as I begin writing this sunset commentary.  It was another great day here in the Hawaiian Islands, certainly from a weather perspective. There was hardly a drop of rain, loads of warm sunshine beaming down, and just light trade winds blowing for the most part. It was a work day for me, and as I had a teeth cleaning appointment in Pukalani late in the afternoon, I didn’t get into the ocean again today. I didn’t even have time to park across the street and look longingly at the blue ocean and that great sandy beach. There were a few more clouds today, at least compared to yesterday, although I didn’t see any showers falling anywhere. The air temperatures rose into the middle 80’s today in both Kihei and Lahaina, Maui…which makes for such a pleasant December day! There really isn’t any change to the weather outlook through the rest of this week, with more excellent conditions on tap right through Christmas. I hope you have a great Tuesday night, and that you will meet me here again Wednesday, where you’ll find the very latest in weather news from paradise awaiting your return then. Aloha for now…Glenn.

Kailua-kona - 74F
Hilo, Hawaii – 65F

Precipitation Totals – The following numbers represent the largest precipitation totals (inches) during the last 24 hours on each of the major islands, as of Tuesday morning:

0.74 MOUNT WAIALEALE, KAUAI
0.47 OAHU FOREST NWR, OAHU
0.07 MOLOKAI
0.00 LANAI
0.04 KAHOOLAWE
0.18 WEST WAILUAIKI, MAUI
0.34 WAIAKEA UKA, BIG ISLAND

Weather Chart – Here’s the latest (automatically updated) weather map…showing high pressure systems far to the NE, which will keep light trade winds blowing today and Wednesday…locally gusty during the afternoons.  Here’s a Weather Map Symbol page for clarification about what all those weather symbols mean on the map.

Hawaii’s Mountains – Here’s a link to the live webcam on the summit of near 14,000 foot Mauna Kea on the Big Island of Hawaii. The tallest peak on the island of Maui is the Haleakala Crater, which is near 10,000 feet in elevation. These two webcams are available during the daylight hours here in the islands…and when there’s a big moon rising just after sunset for an hour or two! Plus, during the nights and early mornings you will be able to see stars, and the sunrise too…depending upon cloud conditions.

Satellite Images – To view the cloud conditions we have here in Hawaii, please use the following satellite links, starting off with the Infrared Satellite Image of the islands to see all the clouds around the state during the day and night. This next image is one that gives close images of the islands only during the daytime hours, and is referred to as a Close-up visible image. This next image shows a larger view of the Pacific…giving perspective to the wider ranging cloud patterns in the Pacific Ocean…out from the islands. To help you keep track of where any showers may be around the islands, here’s the latest animated radar image. 

Aloha Paragraphs

    

                             

The trade winds, after being stronger than usual last week, will be settling into the light to moderately strong realms during the first part of this new week.  These trade winds will be much more manageable, the kind that are a pleasure to have around in fact.  As we move past the middle of the week, these balmy breezes will drop even further in strength…ending up quite light Thursday through the end of the week. This signals what looks to be an exceptionally nice week in terms of winds. We may see the air flow turn just south of east in direction, which may pick up a bit of volcanic haze from the Big Island, carrying it up over Maui County during the second half of the week. 
 
A modest shower band brought some showers to the windward sides Sunday night into early Monday morning.  These clouds have long since moved away, which will make for a lovely day overall. The computer models strongly suggest that this week will not only be quite dry, but perhaps grading into unusually dry for this time of year. We’ll have high pressure to the north of the state, with a high pressure ridge nudging into our area high aloft as well. The combination will keep shower activity to a minimum…which should be alright with most folks!

It’s early Monday evening here in Kula, Maui, as I begin writing this last paragraph of today’s narrative.  The two weather elements that caught my eye most today were: 1.) the brisk trade winds during the afternoon hours, which turned out to be stronger than I expected. 2.) The nearly cloud free skies that took over during the second half of the day. I was in Kihei working as usual, and when I went to the health food store for lunch, I could see lots of white caps forming over the coastal waters. As I was driving home from work from Kihei, coming up the Haleakala Highway towards Pukalani and Kula, I could see that almost everywhere had turned completely clear. There were a few scattered clouds around, but not many at all. This foretells what I believe will turn out to be a very dry week leading up to Christmas.  Folks who are coming for vacation anytime soon, you timed it perfectly! Not to leave out us residents, well, as we say here in the islands…"lucky we live Hawaii." Those areas that are outside the trade wind flow will experience a pretty cool night. Given the length of our nights now, as we approach our shortest day of the year, there will be lots of time for radiational cooling to take place, sending the temperatures down into the 60F’s near the ocean in many places…and much cooler than that in the upcountry areas. Tuesday is going to be another exceptionally clear and sunny day, just about everywhere. I’ll meet you back here online then, when you can expect to find the next weather narrative from paradise as of 530am Hawaiian Standard Time, which is 730am PST, and 1030am EST. Aloha for now…Glenn.

Kaneohe, Oahu - 74F
Kahului, Maui – 66F

Precipitation Totals – The following numbers represent the largest precipitation totals (inches) during the last 24 hours on each of the major islands, as of Monday morning:

0.82 MOUNT WAIALEALE, KAUAI
0.37 MANOA LYON ARBORETUM, OAHU
0.00 MOLOKAI
0.00 LANAI
0.00 KAHOOLAWE
0.16 OHEO GULCH, MAUI
0.78 HILO AIRPORT, BIG ISLAND

Weather Chart – Here’s the latest (automatically updated) weather map…showing high pressure systems far to the NW and NE, which will keep light to moderately strong trade winds blowing today and Tuesday.  Here’s a Weather Map Symbol page for clarification about what all those weather symbols mean on the map.

Hawaii’s Mountains – Here’s a link to the live webcam on the summit of near 14,000 foot Mauna Kea on the Big Island of Hawaii. The tallest peak on the island of Maui is the Haleakala Crater, which is near 10,000 feet in elevation. These two webcams are available during the daylight hours here in the islands…and when there’s a big moon rising just after sunset for an hour or two! Plus, during the nights and early mornings you will be able to see stars, and the sunrise too…depending upon cloud conditions.

Satellite Images – To view the cloud conditions we have here in Hawaii, please use the following satellite links, starting off with the Infrared Satellite Image of the islands to see all the clouds around the state during the day and night. This next image is one that gives close images of the islands only during the daytime hours, and is referred to as a Close-up visible image. This next image shows a larger view of the Pacific…giving perspective to the wider ranging cloud patterns in the Pacific Ocean…out from the islands. To help you keep track of where any showers may be around the islands, here’s the latest animated radar image. 

Aloha Paragraphs

   

                             

A strong, trade wind producing high pressure system, remains anchored to the NE of the islands Sunday. This high pressure system has kept our local trade winds strong and gusty of late. Although, as we’ve moved through Sunday, they have definitely calmed down. They are expected to remain rather light through much of the new week ahead.  
 
Rainfall backed way off Sunday, although with a showery cloud band approching the windward sides, we’ll see an increase again Sunday night into Monday morning. The leeward sides of Maui and the Big Island have remained dry, due to the blocking force of the tall mountains there. After a temporary increase in showers late Sunday into Monday morning…we’ll see very dry weather returning to the Hawaiian Islands later Monday through most of the upcoming week.

It’s late Sunay afternoon here in Kula, Maui, as I begin writing this last paragraph of today’s narrative.  Not only did the windward showers back way off Sunday, so did the gusty winds of late as well. This satellite image shows a new shower band quickly moving towards the windward coasts and slopes…which will bring a temporary bout of passing showers. This won’t last long though, with a drier than normal weather pattern starting later Monday into Tuesday. I had the opportunity to stay home all day Sunday, which was a treat indeed! I ended up doing a fair amount of domestic work, and even some cleaning in areas that I’ve been putting off forever.  It’s well before sunset for a change, and besides a few scattered clouds around, it’s mostly sunny. I made a hearty vegetable stew Saturday evening, which I’ll use as dinners for the next several days. It’s always nice to come home after a long day of work, and be able to heat up something that is good. I’ll have cheese, chips, and avocado to go along with that delicious stew. It’s about time to get out on my weather deck, just to catch those last few warm rays that are still beaming down out there. I hope you have a great Sunday night! I’ll be back very early Monday morning with your next weather narrative from paradise. Aloha for now…Glenn.

Kaneohe, Oahu - 75F
Kahului, Maui – 63F

Precipitation Totals – The following numbers represent the largest precipitation totals (inches) during the last 24 hours on each of the major islands, as of Sunday afternoon:

1.56 MOUNT WAIALEALE, KAUAI
0.93 POAMOHO 2, OAHU
0.01 MOLOKAI
0.00 LANAI
0.05 KAHOOLAWE
1.31 KAUPO GAP, MAUI
0.91 GLENWOOD, BIG ISLAND

Weather Chart – Here’s the latest (automatically updated) weather map…showing a strong 1036 millibar high pressure system NE of the islands. This high pressure cell will keep light to locally moderate trade winds blowing Sunday into Monday.  Here’s a Weather Map Symbol page for clarification about what all those weather symbols mean on the map.

Hawaii’s Mountains – Here’s a link to the live webcam on the summit of near 14,000 foot Mauna Kea on the Big Island of Hawaii. The tallest peak on the island of Maui is the Haleakala Crater, which is near 10,000 feet in elevation. These two webcams are available during the daylight hours here in the islands…and when there’s a big moon rising just after sunset for an hour or two! Plus, during the nights and early mornings you will be able to see stars, and the sunrise too…depending upon cloud conditions.

Satellite Images – To view the cloud conditions we have here in Hawaii, please use the following satellite links, starting off with the Infrared Satellite Image of the islands to see all the clouds around the state during the day and night. This next image is one that gives close images of the islands only during the daytime hours, and is referred to as a Close-up visible image. This next image shows a larger view of the Pacific…giving perspective to the wider ranging cloud patterns in the Pacific Ocean…out from the islands. To help you keep track of where any showers may be around the islands, here’s the latest animated radar image. 

Aloha Paragraphs

   

                             

A strong, trade wind producing high pressure system, remains anchored to the NE of the islands Sunday. As a result our trade winds have been rather strong and gusty…although they definitely calmed down today…remaining rather light into the new week ahead.  
 
Rainfall really backed off Sunday, although with a showery cloud band approching the windward sides, we’ll see an increase again Sunday night into Monday morning. The leeward sides of Maui and the Big Island have remained dry, due to the blocking force of the tall mountains there. After a temporary increase in showers Sunday into Monday morning…we’ll see very dry weather returning to the Hawaiian Island weather picture later Monday through most of the upcoming week.

It’s late Sunay afternoon here in Kula, Maui, as I begin writing this last paragraph of today’s narrative.  Not only did the windward showers back way off Sunday, but so did the gusty winds of late as well. This satellite image shows a new shower band quickly moving towards the windward coasts and slopes…which will bring a temporary bout of passing showers. This won’t last long though, with a drier than normal lead up to Christmas expected. I had the opportunity to stay home all day Sunday, which was a treat indeed! I ended up doing a fair amount of domestic jobs, and even some cleaning in areas that I’ve been putting off…ever had that experience!? It’s well before sunset for a change, and besides a few scattered clouds around, it’s mostly sunny. I made a hearty vegetable stew Saturday evening, which I’ll use as dinners for the next several days. It’s always nice to come home after a long day at work, and be able to heat up something that is good. I’ll have cheese, chips, and avocado to go along with that delicious stew. It’s about time to get out on my weather deck, just to catch those last few warm rays that are still beaming down out there. I hope you have a great Sunday night! I’ll be back very learly Monday morning with your next weather narrative from paradise. Aloha for now…Glenn.