Weather Details & Aloha Paragraphs
Posted by GlennJuly 4-5 2007
Air Temperatures – The following maximum temperatures were recorded across the state of Hawaii Wednesday:
Lihue, Kauai – 85F
Honolulu, Oahu – 87
Kaneohe, Oahu – 83
Kahului, Maui – 87
Hilo, Hawaii – 85
Kailua-Kona, Hawaii – 84
Temperatures early Thursday morning ranged between these warmest and coolest spots near sea level at the 4 a.m. hour:
Lihue, Kauai – 77F
Hilo, Hawaii – 70
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:
1.40 MOUNT WAIALEALE, KAUAI
0.63 MANOA LYON ARBORETUM, OAHU
0.04 MOLOKAI
0.05 LANAI
0.13 KAHOOLAWE
0.94 WEST WAILUAIKI, MAUI
0.28 GLENWOOD, BIG ISLAND
Weather Chart – Here’s the latest (automatically updated) weather map…showing high pressure systems located far to the NW, north, and NE of Hawaii Thursday…connected by elongated zones of high pressure. The trade winds will remain moderately strong over Hawaii’s coastal waters…although locally strong and gusty in those usual windiest locations through 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.
Tropical Cyclone activity in the eastern and central Pacific – Here’s the latest information coming out of the National Hurricane Center, covering the eastern north Pacific. You can find the latest tropical cyclone information for the central north Pacific (where Hawaii is located) by clicking on this link to the Central Pacific Hurricane Center.
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.
Coconut palm trees in the trade wind breezes
The trade winds will remain the primary weather influence here in the Hawaiian Islands on this 4th of July holiday. The latest weather map shows high pressure systems located far to the NW and NE of the Aloha state…which is the source of these locally breezy winds. The trades will remain at more or less moderate strengths through Wednesday. The latest computer forecast models continue to show that they will become stronger starting Thursday, with small craft wind advisories in those windiest places around the state then through the rest of the week.
The incoming trade wind showers may increase later a little today, concentrating their efforts best along the windward coasts and slopes. Despite this modest increase in showers, there certainly won’t be enough to push the drought conditions back much. These showers may help a little by adding a modest amount of water to the upcountry reservoirs along the windward sides on Maui, which is much needed now. Although the leeward sides of all the islands won’t be on the receiving end of this short increase in shower activity….where it is needed the most. Conditions will dry out again starting Thursday, with just the usual few passing showers then.
The south and west facing leeward beaches will continue to see larger than normal surf breaking Wednesday. A couple of significant storms during the last two weeks, down near New Zealand, generated this long lasting swell episode. The second phase of this swell will keep the surf coming our way through today…then start dropping Thursday into the weekend. Folks using our local beaches, especially those not used to being in large waves…should exercise caution when entering the ocean where that type of surf is breaking. The NWS forecast office in Honolulu is continuing its high surf advisory for those leeward beaches.
It’s Wednesday here in Kula, Maui, as I begin writing this last paragraph of today’s narrative. The sunrise was quite a beauty here in the islands on this 4th of July holiday, as streaks of high cirrus clouds lit up into a colorful pink and orange color. If they are still around at sunset, there could easily be a colorful end to the day as well. Speaking of bright endings to the day, there will certainly be lots of fireworks displays available for the general public…including the backyard variety! We need to be very careful not to start any wild fires here in the islands, which could be sparked quickly with the trade winds blowing, and the very dry conditions in many areas of the 50th state now. ~~~ After work last evening I took in the new film called Transformers. "This film uncovers man’s greatest love — for machines that whir, click, rev or destroy. But before you dismiss this movie as toy porn for overgrown boys (not that there’s anything wrong with that), consider this: Never was this goofy rapture explored with more fun. For the non-Transformer heads among us, who couldn’t tell an Autobot from a Decepticon, it’s a wonderfully playful experience." – Washington Post. I wasn’t sure if I was going to like this film, but as it turned out I liked it very much, and kept me thoroughly entertained during my stay in the theater. ~~~ The weather looks like it will be just fine for this 4th of July, with lots of sun beaming down, especially over the leeward beaches, where many friends and families will gather for bbq’s, water sports, and generally just lounging around to da max. I’ll be back with your next weather narrative early Thursday morning. I hope everyone, everywhere, has a great Wednesday night! Aloha for now…Glenn.
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