Hawaiian Islands weather details & Aloha paragraphs
Posted by GlennDecember 10-11 2007
Air Temperatures – The following maximum temperatures were recorded across the state of Hawaii Monday:
Lihue, Kauai – 80
Honolulu, Oahu – 82
Kaneohe, Oahu – 79
Kahului, Maui – 83
Hilo, Hawaii – 81
Kailua-Kona, Hawaii – 82
Temperatures ranged between these warmest and coolest spots near sea level at 4 a.m. Tuesday morning:
Kaneohe, Oahu – 75F
Hilo, Hawaii – 64
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:
1.22 WAINIHA, KAUAI
0.48 OAHU FOREST NWR, OAHU
0.00 MOLOKAI
0.01 LANAI
0.00 KAHOOLAWE
0.16 ULUPALAKUA, MAUI
0.16 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 – High pressure centers far north and NE of the Aloha state will keep moderately strong trade winds blowing today and Wednesday. 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.
Sunsets in Hawaii are often stunning!
photo credit: flickr.com
Weather maps and satellite imagery shows that there is still some instability around the islands, associated with a trough of low pressure extending southward from a storm in the Gulf of Alaska. This trough will act as a triggering mechanism for showers, which in combination with lots of moisture that will eventually be carried in our direction on the returning trade winds…will cause locally showery weather along the windward coasts and slopes. Again, the leeward sides will be on the dry side of the islands now. The fact that the overlying atmosphere is still somewhat unstable in places, could be the recipe for locally heavy showers once they start falling. The only leeward area that will have to worry, would be the Kona slopes, where afternoon showers may break out.
It’s Monday evening here in the islands, as I begin writing this last paragraph of today’s narrative. As noted above, the areas that were the wettest during the Kona storm will be drying out now. On the other hand, the areas that missed most of the rain will be stepping up to the plate soon. This spell of showery weather along the windward sides will start Tuesday, then last into Wednesday night for the most part. As we get past the middle of the week, lasting through the rest of the week, drier air will arrive. The windward sides will dry out then, although as usual, with a trade wind weather pattern well established, there will continue to be a few passing showers. These trade winds will become quite strong and gusty during the second half of the week…perhaps very blustery, although nothing like last week! ~~~ There’s quite a bit of high cirrus clouds overhead at the moment, which kept island skies more on the cloudy side than partly cloudy Monday. Looking out the window, I see the kind of high and middle level clouds that often give fantastic sunset colors, if you are here in the islands, you may want to keep an eye out for it. I’ll be back with your next new weather narrative early Tuesday morning, I hope you have a fine Monday night wherever you happen to be spending it! Aloha for now…Glenn.
Take a look at the high cirrus clouds streaming down from the north over the islands Monday. While you’re looking at stuff, take a peek at this webcam shot of Mauna Kea on the Big Island…so beautiful!
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