December 31 2007 – January 1 2008  

Air Temperatures – The following maximum temperatures were recorded across the state of Hawaii Monday: 

Lihue, Kauai - 76
Honolulu, Oahu - 73 
Kaneohe, Oahu – 72
Kahului, Maui - 73
Hilo, Hawaii - 79  
Kailua-Kona, Hawaii - 84

Temperatures ranged between these warmest and coolest spots near sea level at 6 a.m. Tuesday morning:

Kaneohe, Oahu- 73F
Hilo, Hawaii - 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 Tuesday morning:

4.40 MOUNT WAIALEALE, KAUAI
1.73 WAIHEE PUMP, OAHU
2.35 MOLOKAI
1.52 LANAI
0.67 KAHOOLAWE
2.81 WEST WAILUAIKI, MAUI
1.50 KAHUA RANCH, BIG ISLAND

Satellite and Radar 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. 

Weather Chart – High pressure systems located to the NW and NE, will keep the Hawaiian Islands in trade winds, locally quite gusty through Wednesday…and beyond. Here’s the latest (automatically updated) weather map. 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.

Aloha Paragraphs


Natures fireworks – Protea flowers of Hawaii!


And then…the real thing!
  photo credit: flickr.com

 
 Happy New Year from Glenn!

The winds have been quite light in most places the last few days, although are picking up in strength now from the NE direction. A new 1031 millibar high pressure system is now evident on weather maps to the NW of the islands. This high, as it gets closer, will prompt NE winds to filter back into the state, getting stronger over the next few days. Meanwhile, a dissipating cold front near Kauai late Monday, will slowly push down into the state over 36-48 hours, with those NE winds coming in ahead of it. This wind direction will bring cooler air into the state. 

An unusually small, and unexpected low pressure trough near Oahu, caused locally heavy rains Sunday night into Monday. This trough of low pressure will be moving slowly eastward, with locally rainy weather occurring from Molokai down through Maui…and perhaps eventually the Big Island. This area of rain, as shown on this looping radar image, will provide generous rainfall totals accumulate in places. There should be a gradual improvement in our weather conditions Tuesday, with whatever left over precipitation that falls…focused along the windward coasts and slopes.

It’s Monday evening here in the islands, as I begin updating this last paragraph of today’s narrative. As noted above, we had an unexpected rainfall event Sunday night into Monday. If you go up one paragraph and click on the radar loop, it will tell the story quite well. The island of Kauai, and most of the Big Island, were outside this rain area…although with the rainfall foot print moving east, the Big Island may get an increase in showers. The NWS office issued a flash flood watch for Maui County and the Big Island, which will remain active through the night. The island of Kauai, has cool north breezes blowing, ahead of a dissipating frontal cloud band. This shearline will move down into the state, inch by inch through the next  day or two. It won’t be much of a rain producer, although along its axis, and ahead of it…we’ll find cooler NE winds spreading into the state.

~~~ We just can’t seem to break back into the clear here in the islands! The last 4-5 days have been characterized by lots of high and middle cloud clouds, which have diminished greatly our usual sunny weather. It appears that our famous Hawaiian sunshine will be back with us soon however, hang in there!

~~~ It’s New Years eve now, as I type out these last few weather words of 2007. I haven’t completely decided what I’ll be doing to celebrate the turning of the year. I may meet a friend in Haiku, and do some dancing somewhere in the upcountry area. Then again, I might just stay home and have a nice meal, and listen to some good music. The one thing I am sure of however, is that I’ll drink a glass or three of Champagne! ~~~ I’ll be back Tuesday morning with your next narrative, I hope you enjoy your Monday night wherever you happen to be celebrating it! Aloha for now…Glenn.

December 30-31 2007 

Air Temperatures – The following maximum temperatures were recorded across the state of Hawaii Sunday: 

Lihue, Kauai - 78
Honolulu, Oahu - 81 
Kaneohe, Oahu – 76
Kahului, Maui - 79
Hilo, Hawaii - 77  
Kailua-Kona, Hawaii - 80

Temperatures ranged between these warmest and coolest spots near sea level at 4 a.m. Monday morning:

Lihue, Kauai - 72F
Hilo, Hawaii - 66

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:

1.27 MOHIHI CROSSING, KAUAI
3.48 OLOMANA FIRE STATION, OAHU
1.32 MOLOKAI
1.46 LANAI
0.16 KAHOOLAWE
5.88 KAUPO GAP, MAUI
1.37 UPOLU AIRPORT, BIG ISLAND

Satellite and Radar 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. 

Weather Chart – A moderately strong 1035 millibar high pressure system is located to the NW of Hawaii Monday. As it moves closer over the next couple of days, the lighter winds Monday will gradually pick up in strength from the NE direction…behind a dissipating frontal cloud band. Here’s the latest (automatically updated) weather map. 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.

Aloha Paragraphs


Light winds in the islands through Monday
  photo credit: flickr.com

 

A low pressure system, with its associated weak cold front, moving by to the north of the islands, has weakened our local winds…and turned them to the ESE and SE Sunday evening. This low pressure system, has swung our local winds out of the trade wind direction, veering them now to the SE. This wind direction causes the wind flow to split around the Big Island, with the rest of the state in a wind shadow. This is the reason our local winds are lighter now, which will remain that way through Monday. As the dissipating cold front pushes down through the state Tuesday, our winds will swing back around to the north and NE through the remainder of the work week. This wind direction will bring slightly cooler air into the state, although with generally fair weather prevailing. 

The SE wind flow will finally allow many windward areas to dry out some, although cloud plumes reaching from one island to the other, in a down stream manner, will keep some showers falling locally. In general, the leeward sides will be mostly dry, and with somewhat less high cloudiness around now…should see warm sunshine beaming down at times through the days. The lighter winds will bring volcanic haze over parts of the southern islands. These lighter winds will allow the daytime heating of the islands to make for cloudy afternoons, with a few, mostly light showers to fall here and there.

It’s Sunday evening here in the islands, as I begin writing these last paragraphs of today’s narrative. As noted above, we have finally found some relief from the recent strong and gusty trade winds, and the near constant parade of passing showers in the windward areas. These two weather changes have been welcomed by the folks who live along those wet and windy windward sides. Looking at the latest satellite images, we find that there is still me high cloudiness to the southwest of the Aloha state, so that there will continue to be some cirrus clouds streaming overhead at times, especially during the afternoon hours. It would be wise to get to the beach during the morning hours, when the sunshine will be more plentiful in most areas.

~~~ Weather conditions will be quite nice despite the high clouds, and the localized showers falling here and there…although become quite volcanically haze over parts of the Big Island and all of Maui County. The weak cloud band, mentioned in the paragraphs above, won’t be much of a bother in terms of precipitation, and almost all of that will fall along the windward sides. The breezes will pick up behind the front Tuesday, and with the winds coming out of the north and NE, will feel slightly cool.

~~~ Sunday was a day characterized by increased cloudiness during the afternoon hours, with localized showers falling. Here in Kula, Maui, on the west facing slopes of the Haleakala Crater, it has been foggy, very foggy at times…with a few sprinkles falling. The air temperature at 5pm was a relatively cool 61F degrees up here at the 3,100 foot elevation, while down near sea level, at the same time, it was 73F degrees in Kahului…while the warmest report at that time was 78F degrees at Barking Sands on Kauai.

~~~ I’ll be back very early Monday morning with your next new weather narrative. I hope you have a great Sunday night wherever you happen to be reading from!  Aloha, Glenn. 

December 29-30 2007 

Air Temperatures – The following maximum temperatures were recorded across the state of Hawaii Saturday: 

Lihue, Kauai - 79
Honolulu, Oahu - 80 
Kaneohe, Oahu – 77
Kahului, Maui - 80
Hilo, Hawaii - 75  
Kailua-Kona, Hawaii - 83

Temperatures ranged between these warmest and coolest spots near sea level at 6 a.m. Sunday morning:

Honolulu, Oahu - 73F
Kahului, Maui - 61

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 morning:

3.33 MOUNT WAIALEALE, KAUAI
3.36 POAMOHO 2, OAHU
0.07 MOLOKAI
0.00 LANAI
0.00 KAHOOLAWE
1.75 KAUPO GAP, MAUI
1.02 GLENWOOD, BIG ISLAND

Satellite and Radar 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. 

Weather Chart – A moderately strong 1032 millibar high pressure system is located to the NE of Hawaii Sunday. A 1012 millibar low pressure system, to the north of the islands, with its associated weak cold front, have turned our winds to the ESE and even SE now. This direction causes wind blockage from the Big Island, with lighter winds now in most areas. Here’s the latest (automatically updated) weather map. 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.

Aloha Paragraphs


Breezy trade winds hold sway in Hawaii
  photo credit: flickr.com

 

The trade winds will remain in place here in the islands, although gradually getting a little lighter as we move through this weekend. The latest weather map shows a 1031 millibar, trade wind producing high pressure system, located to the NE of the islands Saturday evening. This high pressure cell is weakening now, although will keep our moderately strong trade winds blowing…although finally starting to ease in strength a touch Sunday, Monday into Tuesday, as a trough of low pressure approaches the state from the NW. There are currently small craft wind advisories active across all of Hawaii’s coastal and channel waters.

The incoming trade wind clouds will keep the windward sides showery at times, while the leeward sides will be partly cloudy for the most part. Those windward sides of the islands will remain rather wet…as they have been all week. The leeward sides won’t see most of these showers, although will find a few showers being carried over the lower mountains on the smaller islands. The Kona coast on the Big Island, and the Wailea/Kihei, and Lahaina areas on Maui, have taller mountains behind them, blocking the windward showers from spreading over into those lee sections.

The computer forecast models continue to show a weak shearline cloud band approaching the state later Tuesday. There’s a chance for this frontal boundary to push into the state, bringing a modest increase in showers at some point later Tuesday or Wednesday, along the windward sides. This won’t bring much rain, so that the main thing that folks will notice will be the cooler north to NE breezes coming into the state behind the cloud band. This in turn will bring a tropical cool snap to the islands, followed by the return of the drier air into the Aloha state.

It’s Saturday evening here in the islands, as I begin writing these last paragraphs of today’s narrative. There is finally evidence that the strong and gusty trade winds have begun to let up a little now. As usual, there will be those areas that are sheltered from these gusty winds, even on the Big Island and Maui…where the strongest winds typically exist during a trade wind weather pattern such as this. 

~~~ A large area of high level clouds continues to spread up over the island chain from the southwest, and will likely remain overhead into Sunday. Although there are indications that it may finally begin getting thinner, allowing some partial sunny periods to arrive…especially during the morning hours. This looping satellite image shows these high level clouds streaming into our area. 

~~~ Last evening I went to the Maui Arts and Cultural Center after work to see the new film called Atonement. The main story of this film revolves around a young girl, who irrevocably changes the course of several lives when she accuses her older sister’s lover of a crime he did not commit. This film has received rave reviews in most quarters, and turned out to be very good in my opinion. The theatre was packed to the gills, and there was lots of applauding from the audience at the end. It was loaded with unusual detail, which the camera caught in such a sensitve way…which I love in a film. It was an emotional piece, centered around the two main characters, played by the beautiful Keira Knightley, and of course handsome James McAvoy…who experienced a deep love for one another. I found Atonement to be a big B+ film. Here’s a link to the trailer, if you feel so inclined to check it out.

~~~ I’ll be back Sunday morning with more weather news and updates. I hope you have a great Saturday night wherever you happen to be spending it! Aloha for now…Glenn.

December 28-29 2007 

Air Temperatures – The following maximum temperatures were recorded across the state of Hawaii Friday: 

Lihue, Kauai - 77
Honolulu, Oahu - 79 
Kaneohe, Oahu – 76
Kahului, Maui - 81
Hilo, Hawaii - 79  
Kailua-Kona, Hawaii - 82

Temperatures ranged between these warmest and coolest spots near sea level at 4 a.m. Saturday morning:

Lihue, Kauai - 76F
Molokai airport - 68

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

2.41 MOUNT WAIALEALE, KAUAI
1.83 POAMOHO 2, OAHU
0.04 MOLOKAI
0.00 LANAI
0.00 KAHOOLAWE
3.48 KAUPO GAP, MAUI
2.46 HAKALAU, BIG ISLAND

Satellite and Radar 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. 

Weather Chart – A moderately strong 1034 millibar high pressure system is located to the NE of Hawaii Saturday. This high pressure system will keep our trade winds blowing in the locally strong and gusty realms through Saturday…then slightly lighter Sunday. Here’s the latest (automatically updated) weather map. 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.

Aloha Paragraphs




The spectacular Protea flowers of Hawaii
  photo credit: flickr.com

 

There will be one more day of the stronger than normal trade winds here in the islands. The latest weather map shows a 1033 millibar, trade wind producing high pressure system, located to the NE of the islands Friday evening. This high pressure cell will keep our strong and gusty trade winds in place through Saturday…easing back Sunday and Monday, as a trough of low pressure approaches the state from the NW. There are currently small craft wind advisories active across all of Hawaii’s coastal and channel waters.

Passing showers continue to bring off and on wet periods along the windward sides of the islands. Those windward sides of the islands will remain rather soggy…as they have been all week. The leeward sides won’t see most of these showers, although will find a few showers flying over the lower mountains on the smaller islands. The Kona coast on the Big Island, and the Wailea/Kihei, and Lahaina areas on Maui, have taller mountains behind them, blocking the windward showers from spreading over into those lee sections.

We’ll find a brief change in the weather occurring early in the new week ahead, although it won’t be anything to worry about. The computer forecast models continue to show a weak shearline cloud band approaching the state right after the weekend. There’s a chance for this frontal boundary to push into the state, bringing a modest increase in showers New Years day along the windward sides. This won’t bring much rain, so that the main thing that folks will notice will be the cool north to NE breezes coming into the state slightly ahead of, and behind the cloud band. This in turn will bring a brief tropical cool snap to the islands, followed by the return of the fair weather producing trade winds by mid-week onward.

It’s Friday evening here in the islands, as I begin updating this last paragraph of today’s narrative. We have about another day of the gusty trade winds to deal with, and then the winds will finally mellow-out some during the second half of the weekend. The eastern part of the island chain will see the strongest winds blowing through Saturday. As usual however, there will be those areas that are sheltered from the blustery winds, even on the Big Island and Maui. ~~~ A large area of high and middle level clouds continues to spread up over the island chain from the southwest, and will likely remain overhead into Saturday. This looping satellite image shows these high level clouds streaming into our area. ~~~ So, the three weather elements that are most influential at this time continue to be the gusty trade winds, the windward biased showers, and the high clouds moving into our area from the deeper tropics…carried by the jet stream level winds. Putting a positive spin to these, there will be sheltered areas from the winds on each island, the incoming trade wind showers will be of an off and on nature, and there will be more frequent thin spots in the high cloudiness into Saturday. That’s about the best I can do, considering what I have to work with at this point. ~~~ This evening I’m heading over to the Maui Arts and Cultural Center to see a new film called Atonement. The main thrust of this film is that a young girl irrevocably changes the course of several lives when she accuses her older sister’s lover of a crime he did not commit. This film is receiving rave reviews in some quarters, and I am looking forward to seeing it, after being aware of it for so long. Here’s a link to the trailer, if you feel so inclined to check it out. ~~~ I’ll be back early Saturday morning with your next new weather narrative. I hope you have a great Friday night wherever you happen to be spending it! Aloha for now…Glenn.

December 27-28 2007 

Air Temperatures – The following maximum temperatures were recorded across the state of Hawaii Thursday: 

Lihue, Kauai - 77
Honolulu, Oahu - 79 
Kaneohe, Oahu – 76
Kahului, Maui - 77
Hilo, Hawaii - 75  
Kailua-Kona, Hawaii - 80

Temperatures ranged between these warmest and coolest spots near sea level at 4 a.m. Friday morning:

Lihue, Kauai - 75F
Hilo, Hawaii - 69

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:

3.51 MOUNT WAIALEALE, KAUAI
1.08 POAMOHO 2, OAHU
0.03 MOLOKAI
0.00 LANAI
0.00 KAHOOLAWE
1.72 WEST WAILUAIKI, MAUI
2.44 WAIAKEA UKA, BIG ISLAND

Satellite and Radar 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. 

Weather Chart – A strong 1033 millibar high pressure system is located to the NE of Hawaii Friday. This active high pressure system will keep our trade winds blowing in the locally strong and gusty realms through Saturday. Here’s the latest (automatically updated) weather map. 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.

Aloha Paragraphs


Windy weather…lighter in the sheltered areas
  photo credit: flickr.com

 

The locally blustery trade winds will continue to blow through the next several days. The latest weather map shows a diminished 1034 millibar, trade wind producing high pressure system, located to the NE of the islands Thursday evening. This high pressure cell, despite its reduced strength, is now closer to the islands. This will keep our strong and gusty trade winds in place through Saturday…easing back on Sunday as a trough of low pressure approaches the state from the NW. There are currently small craft wind advisories active across all of Hawaii’s coastal and channel waters, with gale warning flags now hoisted again over the southern part of the island chain in places. Meanwhile, a wind advisory has been issued for all of Maui, Kahoolawe, and the lower elevations of Maui.

The rush of trade winds coming into the state will continue to carry off and on showers into the windward sides of the islands. The windward sides of the islands will be on the receiving end of these showers through the next several days at least…and have become rather soggy in places. The leeward sides won’t see most of these showers, although may find some showers flying over the lower mountains on the smaller islands into those leeward areas at times too. The Kona coast on the Big Island, and the Wailea/Kihei, and Lahaina areas on Maui, have taller mountains, keeping the windward moisture from spreading over into those sections for the most part.

The latest models show a low pressure system moving by in the middle latitudes, pushing our trade wind producing high pressure system away to the NE Saturday…with lighter winds Sunday. The GFS computer forecast model then shows a weak cold front, or a shearline approaching the state New Years Day. There’s a chance for this frontal boundary to push into the state, bringing a modest increase in showers New Years day along the windward sides. It now appears that this will be a short-lived blip on our radar screens however, with coolnorth to NE breezes coming into the state in the fronts wake. This in turn will bring a brief tropical cool snap to the islands, followed by the return of the fair weather producing trade winds thereafter.

It’s Thursday evening here in the islands, as I begin writing this last paragraph of today’s narrative. As noted above, the trade winds aren’t done with us yet, and have become locally strong again, and will remain that way over the next couple of days. The southern part of the island chain will see the strongest winds blowing. In general, we’ll find winds ranging between 15-30 mph, with higher gusts into the 40 mph range in those most windy places at times around Maui and the Big Island! The strongest gust that I saw Thursday afternoon was the 52 mph pile driver gust at Kawaihae on the Big island. As always though, there will be those areas that are sheltered from the blustery winds, even on the Big Island and Maui. When I went to the beach today in Kihei, there was barely a breath of wind, while Maalaea Bay (not that far away) had a gale warning active there! ~~~ A large area of high and middle level clouds continues to spread up over the island chain, and will likely remain overhead for another day or two. This looping satellite image shows this situation well. This will do too good a job of filtering and dimming our famous Hawaiian sunshine, which has not been good news for all the visitors here, who want that priceless sun tan before heading back to the cold country! I’ll be back very early Friday morning with your next new weather narrative from paradise. I hope everyone has a great Thursday night until then! Aloha for now…Glenn.

December 26-27 2007 

Air Temperatures – The following maximum temperatures were recorded across the state of Hawaii Wednesday: 

Lihue, Kauai - 79
Honolulu, Oahu - 80 
Kaneohe, Oahu – 78
Kahului, Maui - 79
Hilo, Hawaii - 78  
Kailua-Kona, Hawaii - 81

Temperatures ranged between these warmest and coolest spots near sea level at 4 a.m. Thursday morning:

Lihue, Kauai - 74F
Hilo, Hawaii - 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:

2.14 MOUNT WAIALEALE, KAUAI
0.83 NUUANU UPPER, OAHU
0.00 MOLOKAI
0.00 LANAI
0.00 KAHOOLAWE
0.43 KAUPO GAP, MAUI
1.01 PAHOA, BIG ISLAND

Satellite and Radar 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. 

Weather Chart – A strong 1036 millibar high pressure system is located far to the NE of Hawaii Thursday, now moving southwest closer to the islands. This robust high pressure system will keep our trade winds blowing in the locally strong and gusty realms through Friday and Saturday. Here’s the latest (automatically updated) weather map. 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.

Aloha Paragraphs


Cloud shadows offshore from the Big Island
  photo credit: konaboy

 

The Hawaiian Islands, especially around parts of Maui and the Big Island, will find stronger than normal trade winds blowing through the next several days. The latest weather map shows a very robust 1039 millibar, trade wind producing high pressure system, located far to the NE of the islands Wednesday evening. This high pressure cell, with its associated high pressure ridge, which extends to the north and northwest of Hawaii…will cause our local winds to to be strong and gusty in places. There are currently small craft wind advisories active across all of Hawaii’s coastal and channel waters. 

Satellite imagery continues to show quite a few clouds upstream of all the Hawaiian Islands, some with embedded showers, being carried in our direction on the gusty trade winds. The windward sides of the islands will be on the receiving end of these showers for the most part. The leeward sides won’t see most of these showers, although may find a few stray showers flying over the lower mountains on the smaller islands. Those leeward sides will find warm sunshine during the days in most areas. Air temperatures will rise into the 70F’s to lower 80F’s during the days, which is normal for this time of year.

Looking further ahead, the models show a low pressure system moving by in the middle latitudes, pushing our trade wind producing high pressure system away to the NE. The GFS computer forecast model then shows a weak cold front, or a shearline approaching the state New Years Day. It’s still too early to know the exact details, although there’s a chance for this frontal boundary to push towards, or even into the state, bringing a modest increase in showers late New Years day or early next Wednesday. It now appears that this will be a short-lived blip on our radar screens however, with a cool blast of north winds coming into the state…bringing a brief tropical cool snap to the islands, followed by the return of the fair weather producing trade winds thereafter.

It’s Wednesday evening here in the islands, as I begin writing this last paragraph of today’s narrative. As noted above, the prolonged period of trade winds, at times unusually strong, is still holding tight in our Hawaiian Island weather picture. This longer than usual period of trade winds has been with us for well over two weeks now, having started soon after the "big blow" we had, associated with an intense Kona low pressure system earlier this month. ~~~ The southern part of the island chain will see the strongest winds blowing over the next several days. If wind speed expectations are actually met, we’ll find winds ranging between 15-30 mph, with higher gusts into the 40 mph range in those most windy places at times around Maui and the Big Island! ~~~ As always, there will be those areas that are sheltered from the blustery winds, even on the Big Island and Maui. Here in the Aloha state, it’s all about the direction the trade winds arrive, and ones orientation, or exposure, to the wind flow. ~~~ A large area of high and middle level clouds, which were looming to the south of the islands Wednesday morning, spread up over most of the island chain during the day. This looping satellite image shows this well. Depending upon the thickness, there should be a good chance of a colorful sunset Wednesday night, and then a nice sunrise again early Thursday morning. I think beach goers were a little disappointed that the high cirrus clouds filtered and dimmed our famous Hawaiian sunshine during the day. ~~~ I’ll be back online very early Thursday morning with your next new weather narrative, I hope you have a great Wednesday night wherever you happen to be spending it! Aloha for now…Glenn.

It was a white Christmas atop the summits on the Big Island!

December 25-26 2007 

Air Temperatures – The following maximum temperatures were recorded across the state of Hawaii Tuesday: 

Lihue, Kauai - 78
Honolulu, Oahu - 80 
Kaneohe, Oahu – 76
Kahului, Maui - 79
Hilo, Hawaii - 75  
Kailua-Kona, Hawaii - 82

Temperatures ranged between these warmest and coolest spots near sea level at 4 a.m. Wednesday morning:

Lihue, Kauai - 74F
Hilo, Hawaii - 66

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:

1.45 MOUNT WAIALEALE, KAUAI
1.24 MANOA LYON ARBORETUM, OAHU
0.00 MOLOKAI
0.02 LANAI
0.00 KAHOOLAWE
3.99 PUU KUKUI, MAUI
1.71 WAIAKEA UKA, BIG ISLAND

Satellite and Radar 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. 

Weather Chart – An unusually strong 1041 millibar high pressure system is located far to the NE of Hawaii Wednesday. This robust high pressure system will keep our trade winds blowing in the locally strong and gusty realms through Thursday…and beyond. Here’s the latest (automatically updated) weather map. 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.

Aloha Paragraphs


A sunny beach on Kauai…nice clouds
  photo credit: flickr.com

 

The Hawaiian Islands will have stronger than normal trade winds blowing through the week, which may increase again further around Thursday into Friday. The latest weather map shows stronger than normal trade wind producing high pressure systems, to the NE of the islands Tuesday evening. These high pressure cells, with their associated high pressure ridges, which extend to the north of Hawaii…will cause our local winds to remain on the strong side of the wind spectrum now. These winds will hit their stride through Wednesday, although the latest model runs now show a second surge arriving Thursday into Friday.

These blustery winds will carry off and on passing showers to the windward sides…some of which could be locally heavy on the Big Island and perhaps Maui. The leeward sides won’t see most of these showers, although may find a few stray showers flying over the lower mountains on the smaller islands. Those leeward sides will find warm sunshine beaming down during the days in most areas. Air temperatures will rise into the 70F’s to lower 80F’s during the days, which is pretty normal for this time of year.

Looking further ahead, the models are now showing an upper level trough of low pressure approaching the state later this weekend, which will help to calm the winds down starting Sunday. The latest GFS computer forecast model shows a cold front, and or a Kona low pressure system bringing wetter weather to the islands early next next week. It’s still too early to cement this long range weather forecast into place though…although the models have been flirting with this prospect for the last several days. If this unsettled weather does manifest, or winds would turn around to the southeast and south.

It’s Christmas evening here in the islands, as I begin updating this last paragraph of today’s narrative.  Christmas day was most pleasant, especially down along the sunny leeward beaches. The windward sides had a continuation of those off and on passing showers…which is common with such a trade wind weather pattern, that we have going on now in the islands. ~~~ I hope all you readers have the most pleasant Christmas Day evening into the night, after opening presents, looking at Christmas cards, and probably have ended up having a special meal as well! I’ll be back very early Wednesday morning, with yet another Christmas holiday under our belts. I’ll be back in the morning to discuss the outlook for the rest of this week, and what changes may arrive as we move into the New Years holiday period up ahead. Aloha for now…Glenn. 

It was a white Christmas atop the summits on the Big Island!

December 23-24 2007

Air Temperatures – The following maximum temperatures were recorded across the state of Hawaii Sunday: 

Lihue, Kauai - 79
Honolulu, Oahu - 81 
Kaneohe, Oahu – 78
Kahului, Maui - 80
Hilo, Hawaii - 75  
Kailua-Kona, Hawaii - 81

Temperatures ranged between these warmest and coolest spots near sea level at 4 a.m. Monday morning:

Honolulu, Oahu - 74F
Hilo, Hawaii - 66

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:

0.80 MOUNT WAIALEALE, KAUAI
0.98 MANOA LYON ARBORETUM, OAHU
0.06 MOLOKAI
0.02 LANAI
0.00 KAHOOLAWE
4.34 PUU KUKUI, MAUI
0.86 HILO AIRPORT, BIG ISLAND

Satellite and Radar 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. 

Weather Chart – An unusually strong 1040 millibar high pressure system is now evident to the NE of Hawaii. This robust high pressure system will have our trade winds on the increase now, becoming strong and gusty through Tuesday…and beyond. Here’s the latest (automatically updated) weather map. 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.

Aloha Paragraphs


Full moon in Hawaiian skies
  photo credit: flickr.com

Our local trade winds will be on the increase into the new week ahead, with generally fair weather continuing as well. The latest weather map shows trade wind producing high pressure systems stretched out across the Pacific to the NW, north, and NE of the islands. These high pressure cells, with their associated high pressure ridges, will cause our local winds to get stronger now. The winds were slightly softer the last few days, although will be on the increase now. This strong and gusty trade wind flow will last through the next week.  

Other than the usual windward biased showers, the weather in Hawaii will remain nice as we move into the Christmas Holiday period. The leeward sides will be just fine, with lots of warm sunshine beaming down during the days! Air temperatures will rise into the 70F’s to lower 80F’s during the days, which is pretty normal for this time of year. I see no cold fronts, or upper level low pressure systems, which would make our local weather unsettled…on the horizon at this time.

It’s Sunday evening here in the islands, as I begin updating this last paragraph of today’s narrative. As noted above, there will be a surge in our trade wind speeds occurring now. This is just a continuation of the long lasting trade wind episode, that has been with us for the last few weeks. The way it looks from here, these blustery trade winds will continue through the rest of this year. Meanwhile, the overall weather outlook remains favorably inclined, with sunny to partly cloud weather staying put over the leeward beaches. As the trade winds get a little stiffer, there may be a few stray showers spreading over into those leeward sections on the smaller islands. The windward sides will find lots of passing showers, although most of them will be of the light to moderate nature, passing by quickly. ~~~ We’re getting very close to Christmas now, just one day before the Christmas eve festivities begin, then of course the BIG DAY on Tuesday! I trust everyone has bought or sent their presents, and sent or received all their Christmas cards by now. I got that out of the way in the nick of time, as I dislike waiting until the last minute, with all that pressure. ~~~ The December full moon was huge last night, I kept waking up with moonlight flooding in through my weather tower windows…it was super bright! I’ll be back very early Monday morning with a new weather narrative for you, until then I hope you have a great Sunday night! Aloha for now…Glenn

December 22-23 2007

Air Temperatures – The following maximum temperatures were recorded across the state of Hawaii Saturday: 

Lihue, Kauai - 79
Honolulu, Oahu - 81 
Kaneohe, Oahu – 78
Kahului, Maui - 80
Hilo, Hawaii - 78  
Kailua-Kona, Hawaii - 81

Temperatures ranged between these warmest and coolest spots near sea level at 6 a.m. Sunday morning:

Lihue, Kauai - 74F
Hilo, Hawaii - 68

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 morning:

1.46 MOUNT WAIALEALE, KAUAI
0.56 MANOA LYON ARBORETUM, OAHU
0.01 MOLOKAI
0.00 LANAI
0.00 KAHOOLAWE
0.89 PUU KUKUI, MAUI
0.29 WAIAKEA UKA, BIG ISLAND

Satellite and Radar 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. 

Weather Chart – High pressure systems are stretched out across the Pacific, to the NW, north, and NE. This pressure configuration will keep moderately strong trade winds blowing across the Hawaiian Islands…gradually strengthening into the new week. Here’s the latest (automatically updated) weather map. 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.

Aloha Paragraphs


Full Moon over Diamond Head, Oahu
  photo credit: flickr.com

The trade winds will continue to dominate Hawaii’s weather picture, keeping nice weather in the forecast well into the future. The latest weather map shows a trade wind producing high pressure system, now far to the northeast of the islands Saturday evening. This high pressure cell is still rated at a fairly normal 1033 millibars. The size and location of this high pressure cell will keep it spinning-out moderately strong wind speeds for the time being. These winds have become slightly softer now due to the presence of storms racing by to the north…in the mid-latitudes of the north Pacific Ocean. This modestly lighter wind flow will last through today, only to pick up again later in the day Sunday, into the new week ahead.  

Sunny to partly cloudy weather will prevail, with the only showers…falling along the windward coasts for the most part. The leeward sides will be just fine, with lots of warm sunshine beaming down during the days! Air temperatures will rise into the 70F’s to lower 80F’s during the days, which is pretty normal for this time of year. I see no cold fronts, or upper level low pressure systems, which would turn our local weather wetter, on the horizon at this time.

It’s Saturday evening here in the islands, as I begin writing this last paragraph of today’s narrative. Saturday was the first full day of the winter season here in the islands, as we sailed through the winter solstice Friday evening in fine shape. This winter will likely find, despite the mostly dry weather that we’re experiencing now, at least on the leeward sides…a somewhat wetter than normal winter. At the same time. this La Nina cycle that we’re in, which simply means that there is cooler than normal water in the tropical Pacific now…will exhibit more than the normal days that the trade winds will be blowing. This has certainly been the case for the last few weeks of the autumn season, and may very well remain the case through the rest of this year, into the first several days of 2008. ~~~ I went to see a new film last evening called Charlie Wilson’s War, starring Tom Hanks, Julia Roberts, and Philip Seymour Hoffman, among others. It’s based on the true story of how Charlie Wilson, an alcoholic womanizer and Texas congressman, persuaded the CIA to train and arm resistance fighters in Afghanistan to fend off the Soviet Union. With the help of rogue CIA agent, Gust Avrakotos, the two men supplied money, training and a team of military experts that turned the ill-equipped Afghan freedom-fighters into a force that brought the Red Army to a stalemate and set the stage for conflicts in the Middle East that still rage to this day. Here’s a link to the trailer. I liked this film quite a bit, it wasn’t one of those that I walk away shaking my head, saying to myself "that was an outstanding movie however." Tom Hanks played a great role, and was by far my favorite actor…there was good support by Philip Seymour Hoffman as well…Julia Roberts was beautiful as always of course. I would give it a solid B, unlike the extra solid A that I recently gave the film No Country for Old Men, which is also playing at theaters now…although don’t forget that that film has lots of violence in it! ~~~ I forgot to mention that at the Pacific Disaster Center, my regular day job in Kihei, we had an in house Christmas party Friday afternoon, which turned out to be fun. Several of the folks brought guitars, and we actually ended up singing Christmas songs! At first I was a little taken-ah-back, and then I got into it, as we all did, and sang many of the old classics together. The meeting room was all decorated with Christmas trees and decorations, and we had a nice sit down potluck meal together. It was just a perfect example how people get together during the holiday’s and enjoy each others company! ~~~ By the way, the December full moon is close at hand. A friend just told me that a little known but highly effective method of receiving light from nature is gazing at the moon…the longer the better. Moonlight produces calming, cooling and refreshing effects, which increase feelings of hope, peace, and optimism. ~~~ I’ll be back Sunday morning with more weather details and news of our favorably inclined weather pattern in the islands now. I hope everyone has a great Saturday night, wherever you are, and whatever you may be doing! Aloha for now…Glenn.

December 21-22 2007

Air Temperatures – The following maximum temperatures were recorded across the state of Hawaii Friday: 

Lihue, Kauai - 80
Honolulu, Oahu - 81 
Kaneohe, Oahu – 78
Kahului, Maui - 80
Hilo, Hawaii - 76  
Kailua-Kona, Hawaii - 82

Temperatures ranged between these warmest and coolest spots near sea level at 5 a.m. Saturday morning:

Lihue, Kauai - 73F
Hilo, Hawaii - 67

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

0.49 MOUNT WAIALEALE, KAUAI
0.42 POAMOHO 2, OAHU
0.04 MOLOKAI
0.00 LANAI
0.24 KAHOOLAWE
0.69 WEST WAILUAIKI, MAUI
1.48 HILO AIRPORT, BIG ISLAND

Satellite and Radar 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. 

Weather Chart – A 1032 millibar high pressure system is located far to the northeast of the Aloha state, has a ridge running from its westward flank into the area north of Hawaii. This ridge, now weakened by low pressure to its north, will keep slightly lighter trade winds blowing across our area Saturday into Sunday. Here’s the latest (automatically updated) weather map. 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.

Aloha Paragraphs


Warm sunny weather in the islands now!
  photo credit: flickr.com

The trade winds may last forever, or at least through the rest of this year! The latest weather map shows a trade wind producing high pressure system, now far to the northeast of the islands Friday evening. This high pressure cell is still rated at a fairly normal 1032 millibars. The size and location of this high pressure cell will enable it to spin-out moderately strong wind speeds for the time being. These winds have become slightly softer now due to the presence of storms racing by to the north, north of our high pressure ridge…in the mid-latitudes of the north Pacific Ocean. This modestly lighter wind flow will last through Saturday, only to pick up again later in the day Sunday, into the new week ahead.  

The leeward beaches will luxuriate in warm sunny days, while the windward sides will find a few showers falling at times. Those north and east facing windward coasts and slopes will find most of those incoming showers falling during the overnight hours…leaving most of the day in nice weather with partly cloudy skies. The leeward sides, as noted above will be just fine, with lots of warm sunshine beaming down during the days! Air temperatures will rise into the 70F’s to lower 80F’s during the days, which is pretty normal for this time of year. I see no cold fronts, or upper level low pressure systems, which would turn our local weather wetter, on the horizon at this time.

It’s Friday evening here in the islands, as I begin writing this last paragraph of today’s narrative. We’re living through the last few moments of our autumn season, with the official beginning of winter, called the winter solstice of course, set to occur at 808pm this evening, at least in the Hawaii Standard Time zone (HST). It seems anything but winter down here in the tropics at this time, that is if we discount the cooler temperatures that we would find in the summer months. During the summer, our high temperatures would be ranging between 80-92F degrees for the most part. What we’re finding at this time is a range between the upper 70’s to lower 80’s. The overnight low temperatures now are a little cooler than summer of course. This is largely a function of the shorter days and longer nights…limiting our sunshine to a shorter warming period. Friday had only 10 hours and 50 minutes of daylight, compared with 13 hours and 26 minutes at the summer solstice. There’s that, and the fact that the sun is at a lower angle in the sky, limiting its warming potential as well. ~~~ I just had a radio interview on Manao Radio here on Maui, which I do typically on Friday mornings, while I’m driving down to the Maui Community College to do my TV weather show…and then again late Friday afternoon. It’s fun to talk story about the weather live on the radio, just like it is on the television. ~~~ I’m going to see a new film this evening called Charlie Wilson’s War, starring Tom Hanks, Julia Roberts, and Philip Seymour Hoffman, among others. It’s based on the true story of how Charlie Wilson, an alcoholic womanizer and Texas congressman, persuaded the CIA to train and arm resistance fighters in Afghanistan to fend off the Soviet Union. With the help of rogue CIA agent, Gust Avrakotos, the two men supplied money, training and a team of military experts that turned the ill-equipped Afghan freedom-fighters into a force that brought the Red Army to a stalemate and set the stage for conflicts in the Middle East that still rage to this day. Here’s a link to the trailer. I’ll let you know what I thought about it early Saturday morning, when I’m back online with your next new weather narrative from paradise. ~~~ I hope everyone has a great Friday night, wherever you are, and whatever you may be doing! Aloha for now…Glenn.