Weather Details & Aloha Paragraphs
Posted by GlennMarch 8-9 2007
Air Temperatures – The following maximum temperatures were recorded across the state of Hawaii Thursday:
Lihue, Kauai – 82F
Honolulu, Oahu – 79
Kaneohe, Oahu – 83
Kahului, Maui – 84
Hilo, Hawaii – 84
Kailua-Kona, Hawaii – 83
Temperatures early Friday morning ranged between these warmest and coolest spots near sea level at the 4 a.m. hour:
Kaneohe, Oahu – 75F
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 Friday morning:
0.24 MOUNT WAIALEALE, KAUAI
0.07 SCHOFIELD BARRACKS, OAHU
0.00 MOLOKAI
0.05 LANAI
0.00 KAHOOLAWE
0.06 KAUPO GAP, MAUI
0.03 WAIAHA, BIG ISLAND
Weather Chart – Here’s the latest (automatically updated) weather map…showing a ridge over the very southern part of the state of Hawaii, where it will keep south to SW breezes in place Friday…becoming a little gusty ahead of an active Pacific cold front approaching from the NW into 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.
An approaching cold front has forced our high pressure ridge down over the state, and have turned our winds to the SE through SW now…strengthening some in the process. As these winds turned SE now, they have brought thick volcanic haze up over some parts of the state from the Big Island. Mornings will dawn clear just about everywhere, and then as the sun rises higher in the sky during the later mornings, clouds will form locally through the afternoon hours…mostly around the mountains. There will be some mostly light showers falling, but nothing heavy is expected. Kauai and perhaps Oahu may start to see a few showers falling ahead of the cold front on the Kona winds, especially on Friday.
Thursday will still be fine for the most part, although as we move into later Friday and Saturday, the cold front will be changing our weather…with increasing chance of showers. An upper level trough of low pressure is approaching the islands, with it’s associated surface cold front moving along with it. This is what’s causing our winds to become SE to SW, rather than our usual trade winds. The upper level trough will likely prompt some briefly heavy showers with the frontal passage. The models show a short period of cooler north to NE winds behind the cold front Sunday into Monday. Then the winds swing around to the SE to SW again, ahead of another cold front arriving around next Wednesday.
It’s early Thursday evening here in Kula, Maui, as I begin writing this sunset commentary. The sun went down here on Maui rather quickly, and without much flash. As a matter of fact, the volcanic haze is so thick now that just a round ball of red dove into the ocean to our west…without so much as a splash. The atmosphere often gets this way before a cold front pushes through. The next couple of days will be interesting, as we haven’t had a cold front lately. On another note, at work today at the Pacific Disaster Center, we had a group of senior citizens come for a presentation. I coordinated this meeting, and gave a fun little 40 minute "Weather in Hawaii" presentation. I always enjoy these things, but rarely can find the time, outside of work, to give them. If you saw last evening’s sunset commentary, I gave a talk to a bunch of cub scouts in Makawao last night. It’s been a busy couple of days, which I’ve enjoyed. I’ll be back very early Friday morning, with your next weather narrative. Tomorrow night I’m planning on seeing the film, called Zodiac, which I missed last Friday night. It’s a long film, and doesn’t get out until well after 10pm. I had considered going dancing after that in Paia, but I may end up being a little tired, after starting my day at 4am. I hope you have a great Thursday night! Aloha for now…Glenn.
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