Weather Details and Aloha Paragraphs

August 20-21 2006

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

Lihue, Kauai – 83F
Honolulu, Oahu – 88
Kaneohe, Oahu – 84
Kahului, Maui – 89
Hilo, Hawaii – 84
Kailua-Kona, Hawaii – 88

HONOLULU, OAHU – 78
HILO AIRPORT – 721

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

Weather Chart – Here’s the latest (automatically updated) weather map…showing high pressure located far to the north and NE of our islands. This pressure configuration will keep moderately strong trade winds blowing across our area today and Tuesday, gusty during the afternoons locally. 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.

Tropical Cyclone Activity – The eastern Pacific hurricane season runs from May 15 through November 30…while the central Pacific (where Hawaii is) runs from June 1 through November 30. The latest storm information for the eastern Pacific can be found by clicking here. A storm tracking map for both the central and eastern areas can be found by clicking here . For the central Pacific, the latest storm information can be found by clicking here.

  I’m sure you can put this picture into motion…
Photo Credit: flikr.com

 

The trade winds will remain the primary weather feature in the Hawaiian Islands today into Monday.  Our weather will be quite pleasant, with lots of daytime sunshine, and balmy temperatures along the leeward sides. There will be showers falling along the windward sides at times. Starting towards the middle of this new week, we will likely see a period of sultry weather arrive here in the islands. This will be the result of whatever is left of then former tropical storm Hector’s circulation, moving in between Hawaii and our trade wind producing high pressure system to the NE. We may see an increase in showers during the second half of the week, some of which could be locally heavy.

A tropical storm named Ioke has quickly strengthened into a hurricane overnight. This tropical cyclone will be too far away to directly influence us, and will be moving further away to the SW and west over the next several days. The area, as shown by this satellite image, is wearing the classic spiral shape of a true tropical cyclone. Despite it’s omnious appearance, it isn’t expected to give us any trouble. Meanwhile, tropical storm Hector to our east, will be dropping in strength now that it moves over cooler sea surface temperatures and meets shearing winds aloft. Hector will not be a threat for the Hawaiian Islands either. See this tracking map for both system’s path.

It’s early Sunday evening here in Kula, Maui, as I start writing today’s mellow sunset commentary.  The tropical waters of the Pacific are active with spinning storms now. Fortunately, none of these systems are taking aim on our fragile Hawaiian Islands. I’m listening to the most sultry jazz at the moment, really smooth…yeah.  The warm August sunshine streaming into my weather tower is so comfortable sitting here bare footed and chested. Glancing to my left on the desk, a bottle of Red Hook India Pale Ale looks awfully drinkable right now, sitting here in here in paradise. Lots of Aloha going to Poipu, Saratoga, Switzerland, and to you there in your place too.  Have a good Sunday night, I’ll meet you here in the morning. Aloha, Glenn.