Weather Details & Aloha Paragraphs

December 16-17 2006

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

Lihue, Kauai – 79F
Honolulu, Oahu – 82
Kaneohe, Oahu – 81
Kahului, Maui – 85
Hilo, Hawaii – 82
Kailua-Kona, Hawaii – 82

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. 

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.